Eduardo Zamacois Y Zabala Biography | Oil Paintings

Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala father was the director of the Santiago de Vizcaya School of Humanities and his son was able to get a complete education there, including drawing classes with a local artist named Joaquín Balaca. Later, when his father's school closed, the family moved to Madrid and, in 1856, when he was fifteen years old, he went to study at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, under Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz.

In 1860, on Madrazo's recommendation, Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala went to Paris and studied in the class of Charles Gleyre, to prepare for the Ècole des Beaux-Arts, but his entrance application was denied, so instead, he went to study in the studio of Ernest Meissonier.

Success came quickly, in 1861, he was appointed to create decorative paintings in the living quarters of the future Spanish king, Alfonso XII at the Palacio Real de Madrid. The money received allowed him to continue with his art studies. In 1862 and 1864, he won medals for his paintings at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts.

In 1866, he became good friends with the painter, Marià Fortuny, who did an etched portrait of him. During a trip to Rome, Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala also posed as a toreador for Fortuny's painting, The Spanish Wedding. Later, Zamacois y Zabala contacted his friend, Adolphe Goupil, to help Fortuny, get an exclusive contract with Goupil & Cie, the largest art dealer in France, this was a turning point in Fortuny's career.

Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala was a skillful business negotiator and strove to show his works in as many European exhibitions as possible. In 1870, he was awarded the Gold Medal at the Paris Salon for his painting, The Education of a Prince. After a showing in London, one of his paintings was acquired by Charles Dickens. The family originated in Hasparren, France, where their name was spelled Samacoys, but in Spain became Zamacois.

Art Movement: Academic.
Artists Influencing Eduardo Zamacois y Zabala: Joaquín Balaca, Federico de Madrazo, Ernest Meissonier.
He Traveled To Italy, France, England.
Artist Biography compiled by Albert L. Mansour at The World's Artist, with text adapted from Wikipedia.