José Cruz Herrera was a Spanish painter born in La Línea de la Concepción in 1890.
José Cruz Herrera at a glance
- Born: October 1, 1890, in La Línea de la Concepción, Spain
- Died: August 11, 1972, in Casablanca, Morocco
- Nationality: Spanish
- Known for: Genre scenes, landscapes and everyday life in Morocco
- Style or Movement: Orientalism
- Education: Studied with Juan Aciego in Cádiz, then at the School of Fine Arts in Madrid under Cecilio Pla
- Based in: Casablanca, Morocco, for much of his adult life
- Museum: Museo Cruz Herrera in La Línea de la Concepción
“His interest in art was kindled when he was given a box of paints during a childhood illness.”
He concentrated on genre works and landscape art, working in Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, France, and particularly Morocco, where he lived for much of his life in Casablanca. His grandparents operated a lithographic press in Gibraltar and later moved to La Línea. His father was also mayor of the town for a short time. He began formal training with painter Juan Aciego in Cádiz and continued his studies at the School of Fine Arts in Madrid under Cecilio Pla. In 1915, he was awarded a grant to study in Paris and Rome, and that same year, a picture of Christ Chapel earned him a third-place medal at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Spain.
- Born in La Línea de la Concepción, Spain, in 1890.
- His grandparents operated a lithographic press in Gibraltar.
- His father was mayor of La Línea.
- Studied under Juan Aciego in Cádiz.
- Studied at the School of Fine Arts in Madrid under Cecilio Pla.
- Received a grant to study in Paris and Rome in 1915.
- Won a third-place medal at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1915.
- Known for genre works and landscape art.
- Lived in Casablanca, Morocco, for much of his life.
- His works are displayed at the Museo Cruz Herrera in La Línea.
