Bidspirit auction | Oil on canvas by Rogelio

Oil on canvas by Rogelio Puente (Cuba, 1936-1996). - Oil on canvas. Signed lower right. Dimensions: 25.5 x 22.5 cm; 35 x 32 cm (framed). Rogelio Puente Díaz de la Rocha was born in Havana into a wealthy Spanish family residing in Cuba. He received an impeccable academic education in Cuba, Canada, and the United States. At the age of fourteen, he settled permanently in Spain with his family, in A Coruña, where he continued his studies. He studied Law in Santiago de Compostela and later completed his studies in England. He subsequently settled in Madrid, where, captivated by the masterpieces of the Prado Museum, he developed his artistic interests and began to seriously consider the artistic solutions necessary for his painting projects. He traveled to Italy and France in search of new artistic inspirations, both classical and contemporary. He completed the first two years of architectural studies, followed by four years of decorative arts. In 1976, he began a brilliant artistic career, winning numerous awards, most notably his participation in the Pontevedra Biennial that same year. He collaborated with the National Painting Exhibition in Bilbao and the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid. He exhibited in various galleries in Galicia and in several countries in the Americas, such as Brazil, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina, as well as in France and New York. Rogelio Puente knew how to create striking atmospheres and was an exceptional portraitist. With a serene and resolute personality, he faithfully and with dignity maintained a realistic style, while also being aware of the era of Galician painting's awakening towards formal innovations and a more conceptual and engaged art.