Jose Arpa (1858-1952), Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, charcoal on paper, sight: 26 x 20", frame: 29.5 x 23.5"

Provenance: Inventory from the now-closed Cristina's Jewelry (San Antonio, Texas), originally from the Estate of Ernst Raba

Born in Carmona, Spain, Jose Arpa was known as the 'Colorist Painter' of figures and landscapes, especially in Texas where he brought a fresh approach to San Antonio painting in his bright, sunlit local scenes. He was also an etcher, illustrator, and muralist as well as an art teacher. Arpa started and ended his career in Spain. He began his art study as the pupil of Eduardo Cano de la Pena at the Academy of Fine Arts in Seville. Arpa then spent six years in Rome followed by extensive travel. His reputation was solid enough that the Spanish government sent four of his paintings as part of the exhibition to the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Arpa settled in San Antonio in 1923, where he became Director of the San Antonio Art School. Among his close artist friends were Robert and Julian Onderdonk.