Fernando Zóbel was educated in the Philippines, Switzerland and Spain, and began to paint in 1941. He studied Philosophy and Literature at Harvard University (1946-1949), where he graduated magna cum laude; he met Road Champion and Hyman Bloom there, who influenced his art technique. He tried out different engraving techniques. He exhibited for the first time in Boston in 1951. He returned to Manila, where he staged shows of his works; he travelled to the United States and Spain, where he was in contact with the art scene in both countries. In 1961 he settled in Spain: he was awarded an honorary doctorate and appointed honorary director of the Fine Arts Museum at the Ateneo at Manila University. With the help of Gustavo Torner and Gerardo Rueda, he set up the Spanish Abstract Art Museum in the Hanging Houses of Cuenca. In 1972, he was named an honorary citizen of Cuenca and Harvard University appointed him honorary curator of Calligraphy. In 1981 he donated work from the Abstract Art Museum to the Juan March Foundation. In 1983 he was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts (1983). Cuenca City Council posthumously awarded him the Gold Medal of the City and Menéndez Pelayo University the Medal of Honour.
Fernando Zóbel was educated in the Philippines, Switzerland and Spain, and began to paint in 1941. He studied Philosophy and Literature at Harvard University (1946-1949), where he graduated magna cum laude; he met Road Champion and Hyman Bloom there, who influenced his art technique. He tried out different engraving techniques. He exhibited for the first time in Boston in 1951. He returned to Manila, where he staged shows of his works; he travelled to the United States and Spain, where he was in contact with the art scene in both countries. In 1961 he settled in Spain: he was awarded an honorary doctorate and appointed honorary director of the Fine Arts Museum at the Ateneo at Manila University. With the help of Gustavo Torner and Gerardo Rueda, he set up the Spanish Abstract Art Museum in the Hanging Houses of Cuenca. In 1972, he was named an honorary citizen of Cuenca and Harvard University appointed him honorary curator of Calligraphy. In 1981 he donated work from the Abstract Art Museum to the Juan March Foundation. In 1983 he was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts (1983). Cuenca City Council posthumously awarded him the Gold Medal of the City and Menéndez Pelayo University the Medal of Honour.