Francisco Oller

This accomplished painter and educator played a pivotal role in the development of Puerto Rican art, initiating the tradition of capturing the island's unique landscapes and vibrant tropical fruits. His works often highlight the social issues prevalent in Puerto Rican society. His artistic journey began under the tutelage of Juan Cletos Noa in San Juan, followed by advanced studies at the Real Academia de San Fernando in Madrid with Federico Madrazo.

In 1858, he ventured to Paris, immersing himself in the artistic community. He studied in Thomas Couture's studio, attended L'Académie Suisse and L'Ecole Imperiale et Spéciale de Dessin, and connected with influential artists like Gustave Courbet and Camille Pissarro. Returning to Puerto Rico in 1865, he founded an academy of drawing and painting in San Juan by 1870. His dedication to his craft took him back to Paris in 1874, where he met Dr. Paul-Ferdinand Gachet, a physician and friend of Vincent Van Gogh, who purchased his painting "El estudiante" (The Student).

After spending eight years in Madrid, his commitment to his homeland brought him back to Puerto Rico in 1884. His final visit to Paris in 1895 was marked by the exhibition of his renowned piece "El Velorio" (The Wake). In 2006, his legacy was celebrated by the Ponce Art Museum with an exhibition that traveled to the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, featuring his works alongside those of José Campeche and Miguel Pou.

Spanning a career that bridged the realism of Courbet and the rise of Impressionism, this artist forged meaningful connections and friendships within the Parisian art scene, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art.