JOSÉ de RIBERA: The Baroque Master of Grace and Grandeur

This class will cover the complete works of José de Ribera, along with the history of the artist and his times. Ribera is considered one of the finest late Spanish Renaissance painters who didn't even live in Spain.

Ribera was born in Xativa, near Valencia as Jusepe de Ribera (1591-1652). He studied with the Valencian painter, Francisco Ribalta (1565-1628) before heading to Italy; first Parma, Padua, and probably Venice and then Rome from 1613-16.

DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ

In this class, students will explore the complete works of Diego Velázquez's as well as his time in history as the most prestigious court painter for Spain's Habsburg King - Philip IV. Students will discover why he became the leader of the Spanish Baroque period and is still celebrated as Spain's most revolutionary portrait painter today. 

ISABELLA I * SPAIN'S GOTHIC WARRIOR QUEEN

In this class, we analyse, investigate and marvel at the life and times of this Gothic warrior Queen of Castile, Isabella I.

She was the driving force of 15th-century Spanish culture and politics. Also known as Isabel la Católica, a title granted to her by Pope Alexander VI, Isabella reorganized the governmental system, brought the crime rate to the lowest it had been in years, unburdened the kingdom of its enormous debt, completed the "Reconquista" by taking the rest of Spain for the Spanish crown, ordered the conversion or exile of Muslim and Jewish citizens, and financially supported Christopher Columbus's in his 1492 voyage that led to the opening of the New World establishing Spain as the first global superpower, which dominated Europe and much of the world for more than a century.

TRIBUTE TO VICTORIOUS VALENCIA CITY

This class explores the vast array of architectural treasures in the grand city of Valencia making it a very special place since the time of the Romans. It really excels with the wealth of traders, nobles and royalty in the medieval era.  The marvelous manifestation of man and creation come to life in the facades and interiors of churches, convents, monasteries and secular buildings and palaces of Valencia city branding it as the 2nd most important city in Spain. 

UNDERSTANDING SPANISH ROYAL RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE !

In this class, students will learn how Spain in the late 1400'a and all of the 1500's century grew both politically and economically making it viable to construct remarkable buildings. Explored will be the details of the different styles that evolved as well as the motivations and philosophies, even secrets and scandals, behind their developments.

MEET THE ARTIST EVENT * Robert E Sapsford *

THANK YOU TO ALL who came along to the MEET THE ARTIST EVENT * with guest artist ROBERT E SAPSFORD on Friday 10TH at Darocas Studio.

Robert shared his humble journey as a youth with desires to be an artist but he faced many challenges. His presentation slideshow was very impressive with a vast array of complex paintings in oils and acrylics.
We all mingled, drank coffee and ate sponge cake too.

Make sure you JOIN the SpainLifestyle.com mailer to get your invite to the next event.

Report About Robert E Sapsford by Karla Darocas for SpainLifestyle.com

THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRIDE OF VALENCIAN GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

This class explores the most well preserved and famous examples of Valencian Gothic temples and civic buildings in the province. Valencian Gothic architecture developed during the 14th century and reached its maturity and maximum expression in the 15th century, showcasing its own artistic style and characteristics, which developed and grew based on existing Mediterranean constructive systems and architectural arrangements already used by the Romans and Arabs rather than adopt the novel architectural styles from northern France.

CLOTILDE: Sorolla's Cornerstone / Tribute - BOOKS

PAPERBACK 

About the Book

Clotilde García del Castillo (Valencia, 1865 - Madrid, 1929) was more than just the wife of the famed Valencian painter Joaquín Sorolla (Valencia, 1863 - Cercedilla, 1923). 

She was the mother of his children, his social secretary, and his emotional support person. She was his painter's model, business partner, and marketing manager. Clotilde was the mastermind, compass, and keyholder to his social elevation and success. 

It is through letters, photographs, and paintings, that Clotilde’s personality shines. Laid bare are her commitments to her family, society, and business, while never losing her passionate love and belief in her husband. 

This biographical story highlights Clotilde as a 20th-century Spanish woman living a life that many women of that era, could only dream of. She was loved and adored by her husband. She was his cornerstone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karla Ingleton Darocas is Canadian married to a Spaniard and based in Benitachell on Spain's Costa Blanca. She is an educator with a passion to inspire and facilitate a lust to learn. Her love of Spanish art, architecture, and history is infectious, and she attracts art lovers to her lectures. 

Her websites are 

SpainLifestyle.com and KarlaDarocas.com.

INDEX

• Introduction 2
• In The Beginning 4
• Love United 5
• Family Time 5
• Responsibilities 7
• Travel 9
• America 13
• New Home and Studio 18
• The End of An Era 26
• Life After Sorolla 29
• In Conclusion: 31

BENISSA HAS A NEO-GOTHIC TREASURE

Benissa is one of those hidden treasures to be found on the Costa Blanca. You need to find the car park at the back of town, get out of your car and start your journey.

* Report by Karla Ingleton Darocas, Hons. B.A. (c) no part of this text or photographs may be reproduced

PICASSO'S PERVASIVE MOTHER AND CHILD PAINTINGS

The most frequently reproduced motif throughout the history of art, especially in Western art, is the subject of the mother with child. The earliest recorded depiction and the best known Mother and Child is the Byzantine icon of Mary and Jesus. These icon images were venerated by both the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Picasso was raised Catholic and knew the emotional power of the image of Mother and Child. These works, which run throughout his life, are some of my favourites. They are all different, depending on which visual form he was experimenting with at the time.

Let us take a look at a few of them and consider Picasso's different styles that he added to this powerful, universal theme of mother and child.

** Report by Karla Darocas, Hon. B.A. (KarlaDarocas.com)
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