Fernando Rivero: a Master of the Still-Life

 

Biography
1928

Fernando Rivero Ramírez is born in Madrid.

At a very early age, he begins to paint and draw receiving his first instruction from his father, Carlos Rivero, a great painter, gold and silver smith, and a disciple of the distinguished painters D. Marceliano Santamaría and D. Juan José García. Several of Carlos Rivero's works are on exhibit in the Decorative Art Museum of Madrid.

1942

Trained by his father, who at this time is artistic director of embossing and engraving, he begins to work as a silversmith for Luis Espuņes, Inc. in Madrid.

Meets Santosanz--painter, sculptor and gold and silversmith--the person who will later become his mentor.

1947

Becomes a jeweler at the Madrid firm of Hernandez Galindo Jewelers, Inc. where he excels in design.

1950

Begins to study under his mentor, Santosanz, with whom he first starts painting in oil.

1951

Paints his first portraits.

Paints his first landscapes and still lifes.

1952-1955

Attends "natural" and composition drawing classes at the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid.

Is named workshop master at Hernandez Galindo Jewelers Inc.

1955

Exhibits two oil paintings in the Goya Room of the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid.

1956

Participates in a joint exhibition at the Los Sotanos gallery in Madrid.

Paints several watercolor pieces.

Sells his first paintings.

1957

Establishes his own business in Madrid, manufacturing jewelry and enamelwork. Oversees 50 craftsmen.

1959

Marries María Cuende.

1960

His son Alberto is born.

1960-1965

During these years he works both as a painter and jewelry designer and maker.

Is appointed treasurer of the Madrid Jewelry Union (Gremio de Joyeros de Madrid).

1965

His son Jorge is born.

1966

Encouraged by painting master D. José Bardasano, he has his first solo exhibition in Madrid at the Díaz Gallery.

Participates in the 37th Salón de Otoño exhibition in Madrid.

1967

Participates in the 38th Salón de Otoño exhibition in Madrid where he wins third place.

Negotiates contracts with the Toisón and Cano Galleries in Madrid which admit his pieces into their permanent collections.

1968-1971

Participates in a joint exhibition at the Toisón Gallery of Madrid.

1972

Opens his workshop/studio in Madrid.

Participates in a joint exhibition in the Toisón Gallery of Madrid.

Prepares for an exhibition in Caracas, Venezuela.

Sells his jewelry business in order to be able to devote himself exclusively to painting.

1973

Decides not to exhibit at the Caracas show because doesn't have enough paintings.

Participates in a joint exhibition at the Surt Gallery in the Hotel Plaza, Madrid

1974

Participates in the Salón de Otoño exhibition in Madrid.

1975

Is in contact with the Dreisler and Gavar galleries.

Prepares for the exhibition at the Gavar Gallery in Madrid.

1976

Signs exclusive contract with the Gavar Gallery in Madrid.

Is given a solo exhibition by the Gavar Gallery in Madrid.

1977

Is given a solo exhibition by the Alkar Gallery in Zarauz, Guipuzcoa.

One of his paintings is accepted by the Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo) in Madrid.

1978

Is awarded the Special Premium Gallery Award (Premio Especial Galerías Preciados) at the 15th Exhibition of San Isidro, organized by the Spanish Association of Painters and Sculptors and the City of Madrid.

Attends the 46th Salón de Otoño exhibition in Madrid.

Is invited by the Arts Gallery of Valencia to exhibit in the show titled Realism (Entorno al Realismo), along with artists such as: Amalia Avia, Carmén Laffon, Antonio López García, Eduardo Naranjo, Quetglas y Cristobal Toral.

Is given a solo exhibition by the Amárica Art Gallery of Vitoria, Alava.

One of his paintings is chosen for the Provincial Museum of Alava.

Is given a solo exhibition by the Arts Gallery of Valencia.

1979

Participates in the 16th Exhibition of San Isidro of Madrid.

Is presented the Excelentísimo Award by the city of Madrid.

Participates in the 47th Salón de Otoño exhibition in Madrid where he is awarded the second prize and the Paleta de Oro (Golden Brush) Award.

Is given a solo exhibition by the Gavar Gallery of Madrid.

Attends the opening of the Camón Aznar Museum in Zaragoza where one of his paintings is featured.

Is given a solo exhibition by the Alkar de Zarauz Gallery in Guipuzcoa.

Participates in the Arte Español Contémporaneo (Spanish Modern Art) exhibition at the Niavaran Cultural Center of Teheran, organized jointly by the Spanish and Iranian Ministries of Culture. This exhibition featured the following artists: Jose Caballero, Matías Quetglas, Rafael Canogar, Eduardo Urculo, Juan Barjola, García Ergüin, Cristobál Toral, Amalia Avia, García Ochoa, Miguel Echauri, Rafael Ubeda, F.Echevarría, Andrés Cillero, Modesto Cuixert, Claudio Bravo, Brinkman, Antoni Clave, Eduardo Chillida, Salvador Dalí, Equipo Cronica, Luís Feito, Juan Genovís, Florencio Galindo, Luis Gordillo, José Hernandez, Joan Miró, Lucio Muñoz, Antonio Saura, Eusebio Sempere, Antoni Tapies.

One of Fernando Rivero's paintings is acquired by the Iranian Museum of Teheran. Before the end of the show, a cable is received in Madrid from the principal organizer of the exhibition which says: "F. Rivero painting acquired by Iranian museum. Not interested in other painters." A few days later, Khomeni's revolution succeeds and the new appointees of the Nation of Iran do not honor the purchase made by the minister of culture under the Empress Farath Diba.

Participates with the Gavar Gallery in Expoart in Madrid

Participates in the F.I.A.C. 79 (The International Fair of Contemporary Art) at the Grand Palais in Paris. Exhibits 4 paintings in the booth of the Gavar Gallery of Madrid. Receives offers from various European galleries, and one from a Los Angeles gallery. (These offers do not materialize because of problems with the Gavar Gallery).

Visits the booth run by the Staempfli Gallery of New York.

1980

Terminates exclusive contract with the Gavar Gallery.

Begins negotiations with the prestigious Sokoa Gallery in Madrid.

Prepares an exhibition for the Sokoa Gallery.

Participates in a joint exhibition at the Kreisler Gallery of Madrid.

Is invited to participate in two consecutive exhibitions, Presencia del Realism I y II (The Presence of Realism I and II) at the Parque 15 Gallery of Pamplona, together with: Claudio Bravo, Capozzoli, Francisco Cortijo, Carmen Laffon, Cristobál Toral, etc.

Participates in the 48th Salón de Otoño in Madrid. He is awarded first place and the El Corte Inglés Award.

Is invited by the Van Gogh Gallery in Vigo (Spain) to participate in the Masters of Spanish Realism exhibition, together with: Eduardo Naranjo, Cristobál Toral, Benito Moreno, Beltrán Segura, Matías Quetglas entre otros.

Accepts an invitation from the Spanish Red Cross to participate in an exhibition called Spanish Painters and Sculptors Supporting Human Rights, held in Madrid and organized by the Ministry of Culture.

Is named spokesperson by the Spanish Association of Painters and Sculptors for the Commission of Exhibitions and Competitions.

1981

Participates in the monograph exhibition Flowers at the Parque 14 Gallery in Pamplona (Spain), together with a diverse group of artists including: Sorolla, Bores, Durancamps, Benjamín Palencia, J. de Echevarría, Florencio Galindo, Francisco Lagares, Abuja, Cristino de Vera

Is given a solo exhibition by the Sokoa Gallery in Madrid.

1982-1983

Concentrates on filling requests from the Sokoa Gallery of Madrid.

1984-1985

Exhibits at the Sokoa Gallery. By the end of this show, all 30 pieces are sold and 104 people have left their addresses to be contacted when a new piece is complete.

1982-1983

Is invited to exhibit at the Staempfli Gallery of New York. This show does not take place because the artist does not have enough paintings available.

Travels to the United States and signs an exclusive U.S. contract with the Staempfli Gallery of New York

1986

Concentrates on filling the most pressing requests from the Sokoa Gallery.

Prepares work for the exhibit at the Staempfli Gallery of New York

1987

Is given an individual exhibition by the Staempfli Gallery of New York. All pieces from this show sell.

1988

Participates in an exhibition at the Staempfli Gallery of New York entitled Realism in Spain, together with: Claudio Bravo, César Galicia, Antonio López García, Gerardo Pita, Cristobál Toral.

1988-1991

Is given an individual exhibition by the Sokoa Gallery in Madrid. All pieces from this exhibition sell prior to the opening.

1992

Participates in a joint exhibition at the Sokoa Gallery in Madrid.

1993

Participates in a joint exhibition at the Sokoa Gallery in Madrid.

1994

Exhibits two paintings in the City Museum of Madrid.

1995

Is given an individual exhibition by the Sokoa Gallery in Madrid.

1997

Participates in a joint exhibition at the Euroarte Gallery of Lisbon.