Portrait Of A Woman

Maximo Peña y Munoz

---

Spanish [1863-1940]

---

PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN

---

pastel on paper

---

diameter: 28.5 in. (72.4 cm)

---

signed centre left

---

Provenance: Masters Gallery, Calgary AB

---

Born in Salduero, Spain, of humble origins, Maximo Peña y Munoz moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 13 to work with his uncle in the textile industry. When his artistic talent became apparent, the young man began training with artist Blanco Aguirre, later attending the Escuela Superior de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado in Madrid. The artist found considerable success in both Italy and Spain early in his career, and earned many accolades during his life both for his art and architectural work. Notable accomplishments include his artistic contribution to the basilica of San Francisco el Grande; his creation of a an educational art studio (now Academia Peña); serving as a director on the board of Círculo de Bellas Artes; illustrator for numerous publications including "El Imparcial" and "La Ilustracion Española y Americana"; and the posthumous award of Caballero de la Orden de Carlos III in 1943.

---

Maximo Peña y Munoz is particularly known for his pastel work, depicting portraits, landscapes and cultural scenes. His work can be found in important public collections including Prado Museum (Madrid) and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao