Andrés Cortés y Aguilar
Seville 1812 - Seville 1879

Andrés Cortés y Aguilar was a Sevillian painter from a family of artists that began with his father Andrés Cortés Caballero (1779-1861) and his uncle Joaquín Cortés (1776-1835). He studied art at the Royal School of the Three Noble Arts in Seville (1829-1838). His work falls within the Sevillian Costombrista Romantic painting school of the 19^th century, with popular scenes, expansive vistas, rural landscapes with flocks of sheep – one of his specialities – and panoramic landscapes of the city, populated with figures, and inspired by the Dutch masters of the 17^th century. His works were highly acclaimed. Particularly noteworthy are the views of the Seville Spring Fair, of which he produced several versions, the first in 1852 for the Count of Ybarra, promoter of the popular livestock fair. His style combines the classical ideal with a penchant for naturalist detail, with bright and vibrant colours in which Murillo’s influence is visible.

Cortes y Aguilar taught at the School of Fine Arts and was made a member of the Academy in 1862. He took part in the fine arts exhibitions held in the city and was awarded a silver medal in 1858. The acclaim he enjoyed in the city led to him being showered with local honours and accolades. He became a founding full member of the Provincial Archaeological Institute of Seville, president of his class at the Arts School, corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Archaeology and Geography of Prince Alfonso and its equivalent in Cordoba, and member of the Seville Society of Emulation and Development.

Roberto Díaz