Arturo Michelena

Arturo Michelena is one of the most important figures in the history of Venezuelan Art. He characterizes one of the artistic genres of the country in the 19th century with his unique style. Arturo Michelena was born in the city of Valencia on the 16th of June 1863. The family in which he was born had a vocation in a classic style of painting. This style further influenced Arturo Michelena’s works. His foremost teacher during his youth was his father, painter Juan Antonio Michelena.

Life of Arturo Michelena

Arturo Michelena made a series of paintings in 1874 that illustrated the habitual life of a definite clan of the Venezuelans. During 1879 to 1882, Michelena and his father started an Academy of Art in Valencia. The murals and copies of old pictures made by Michelena during this period were displayed in the Centenary Hall of Caracas, and earned much appreciation and notice. Michelena left for Paris in 1885, and thereafter accomplished the best works of his life.

Works of Arturo Michelena

Arturo Michelena has contributed several unique and significant works of art to the 19th century artistic genre in Venezuela. He specialized on narrative styles of painting and documentation, and most of his subjects include historic scenes and episodes. Some of his greatest works are ‘An electoral visit’, ‘The young mother and Carlota Corday’, ‘Miranda’, ‘The Descent’, ‘Berruecos’ and ‘The Charity’.

Arturo Michelena returned to Venezuela with an ill health after suffering from contracted tuberculosis in Paris. He died on the 29th of July 1898. He had continued his work even during the last days of his life.