Antonio de la Gandara

Happy Birthday Antonio de la Gandara!! French painter and pastellist, Gandara was born in 1861 to parents of Mexican (father) and English descent (mother). He began his artistic training at age 14 and a portrait was accepted by the Salon in 1882. He quickly became a favored portrait painter of prestigious figures in Paris. The influence of his friend Whistler can be seen in the setting of his figures against dark background as seen in his portrait of Madame Pierre Gautreau (below).