Manuel Gomez-Moreno Gonzalez

Manuel Gómez-Moreno González (26 June 1834, Granada - 20 December 1918, Granada) was a Spanish painter, amateur archaeologist and professor. His son was the noted historian and archaeologist, Manuel Gómez-Moreno Martínez.

Biography

He was born to a liberal family; descended from "afrancesados". His father owned a book store that did typography and binding.

Upon discovering that he had a talent for art, he was enrolled at the "Escuela de Bellas Artes" and, seeing how quickly he learned, he was transferred to the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, where he studied from 1857 to 1860 with Federico de Madrazo, Antonio María Esquivel and Juan Antonio Ribera.
Saint John of God saving the Sick at the Royal Hospital

Upon returning to Granada, he found himself in economic difficulties. This was eased somewhat after winning prizes in 1861 and 1862 at events related to Corpus Christi festivities, organized by the city government of Granada, which resulted in several commissions.

In 1867, he obtained a position as a professor of drawing at the "Colegio de San Bartolomé y Santiago". He also taught classes at the "Escuela de Artes y Oficios del Asilo de San José" and, until 1888, he held the chair of decorative composition at the "Escuela de Bellas Artes". In the evenings, he gave private lessons for free.

Meanwhile, he continued to paint prolifically; creating scenes from the life of the bourgeoisie and Spanish history; winning a gold medal at the Exposición Granadina in 1876.[1] Two years later, the provincial government awarded him a stipend to study in Rome, where he lived until 1880 with his wife and son. One of the works he painted there ("St.John of God saving the Sick from a Fire at the Royal Hospital") won second prize at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1881.
The Family of Boabdil Leaving the Alhambra

Since he was a young boy, he was also interested in investigating the history of Granada. During excavations carried out in 1872, he discovered the first remains at Medina Elvira, an archaeological site in the Baetic Cordillera, which was probably the origination point for the Taifa of Granada, a medieval Berber kingdom.[2]

In 1892, he began publishing the Guía de Granada, which has served as a model for subsequent guide books. He also published numerous historical studies in pamphlets and magazines; notably on Diego de Siloé, the Palace of Charles V, Alonso Cano, the paintings of the Alhambra and several monuments (he was a member of the Monument Commission).[1]

His works and his advice were influential during the creation of the Archaeological Museum of Granada. In 1904, he was elected President of the "Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife", an organization devoted to historical preservation. He also served as President of the Royal Chapel of Granada.[1]

References

Brief biography @ MCN Biografías.

"Reconocen al arqueólogo que descubrió los primeros restos de Medina Elvira" @ Ideal.es