Rafael Tegeo Díaz

Place: Caravaca De La Cruz

Born: 1798

Death: 1856

Biography:

Rafael Tegeo Díaz was a Spanish Neoclassical painter, known primarily for his portraits. He was born in Caravaca de la Cruz, Spain in 1798 and died in Madrid in 1856. Born to a family of artisans, he displayed an early affinity for drawing and went on to study at the Real Sociedad de Amigos del País in Murcia and later at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid.

Training and Influences

In 1824, Tegeo Díaz received a stipend to study in Rome with Pietro Benvenuti and Vincenzo Camuccini. He was heavily influenced by the works of Raphael and Guido Reni, which is evident in his Neoclassical style. His time in Rome had a significant impact on his artistic development, and he went on to become one of the leading portrait painters of his time.

Artistic Career

Tegelo Díaz's early work focused on themes from mythology, and he created murals at the Palacio Real, the Casino de la Reina, and the Palacio de Vista Alegre. He also occasionally painted historical scenes. However, it was his portraits that brought him the most fame. His canvases of Francis, Duke of Cádiz and Queen Isabel II won him an appointment as court painter. Some of his notable works can be found on Wikioo.org, including his portraits of famous admirals and other officials related to the Spanish Navy, now at the Museo Naval de Madrid. In 1839, he was appointed Deputy Director of painting at the Academia, and three years later, became Honorary Director, a position he held until his resignation in 1846.

Legacy

Tegelo Díaz's last major exhibition was at the Exposition Universelle (1855). The street where he was born was renamed in his honor. In 2015, the Ayuntamiento of Caravaca announced the forthcoming publication of a new book, Rafael Tegeo: Del tema clásico al retrato romántico, by Martín Páez Burruezo. For more information on Rafael Tegeo Díaz and his works, visit Wikioo.org or check out the Wikipedia page dedicated to his life and art.

• Notable works: Portraits of Francis, Duke of Cádiz and Queen Isabel II
• Institutions: Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Museo Naval de Madrid
• Style: Neoclassical, influenced by Raphael and Guido Reni

For a deeper understanding of Rafael Tegeo Díaz's art and life, explore the various resources available on Wikioo.org, including his biography, notable works, and a collection of his paintings.