Rafael Tejeo Díaz

Place: Caravaca De La Cruz

Born: 1798

Death: 1856

Biography:

Rafael Tejeo 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. His name is sometimes spelled Tegeo.

Early Life and Education

Rafael Tejeo Díaz was born to a family of artisans. After displaying an early affinity for drawing, he was enrolled at the Real Sociedad de Amigos del País in Murcia, where an Italian sculptor named Santiago Baglietto introduced him to Greek sculpture. Later, thanks to the patronage of the Marqués de San Mamés, he was able to attend the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, where he studied with José Aparicio and Fernando Brambila.

Career

In 1824, Rafael Tejeo Díaz received a stipend to study in Rome with Pietro Benvenuti and Vincenzo Camuccini, among others. While there, he was heavily influenced by the works of Raphael and Guido Reni. He sent numerous paintings home for exhibition and, in 1828, he was named an "Academician" for his painting of Hercules and Antaeus. Rafael Tejeo Díaz achieved his greatest fame through his portraits. His canvases of Francis, Duke of Cádiz and Queen Isabel II won him an appointment as court painter. He not only painted the nobility, but the emerging bourgeoisie as well. He is also known for a series of posthumous portraits of famous Admirals and other officials related to the Spanish Navy, now at the Museo Naval de Madrid.

• Some of his notable works include: Portraits of Francis, Duke of Cádiz and Queen Isabel II Posthumous portraits of famous Admirals at the Museo Naval de Madrid

Legacy

Rafael Tejeo Díaz was appointed Deputy Director of painting at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in 1839, and three years later, became Honorary Director, a position he held until his resignation in 1846. His last major exhibition was at the Exposition Universelle (1855). For more information about Rafael Tejeo Díaz, you can visit the Real Sociedad de Amigos del País or check out his page on Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. You can also explore the collections of the Museo del Prado and the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, which feature some of his notable works.