Antonio Fuertes was born in Spain in 1970 and studied Fine Arts at the University of Madrid.
“Light is central to Fuertes’ work: I often imagine my paintings as a theatre stage. The light is given the role of director, determining what will happen on stage and what the actors will do, thus bringing the canvas to life.”
He recieved a scholarship for the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht, Netherlands, and graduated in 1994. He decided to stay in Amsterdam, where he still has his studio. His work is deeply influenced by the light, which he treats as a director on a theatrical stage, bringing his canvases to life.
Fuertes is known for his still lifes, especially of fruit, which remind him of his youth in Andalusia where his father had an orchard. He treats each piece of fruit like a individual portrait, focusing on light and detail. His technique, inspired by masters like Rembrandt and Velázquez, involves applying at least fifteen layers of paint to achieve depth.
The contrast of light and dark serves as a starting point for his compositions. He often begins with black and white, adding color only in the final layers. Sometimes he leaves the painting in tonal gray tones, creating a sensitive still life. His work is contemporary yet rooted in classical technique.
His paintings are held in private collections and exhibited internationally. He continues to live and work in Amsterdam, where he explores the relationship between light, form, and emotion. His still lifes are celebrated for their depth and their ability to transform ordinary fruit into extraordinary subjects.