Pedro Lira
Encyclopedia
Pedro Lira was a Chilean painter. He was one of the founders of the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts
.
During his childhood and adolescence he studied at the Instituto Nacional
where he received a liberal education. He entered the Academy of Painting directed by Alejandro Ciccarelli. By 1862, Lira entered the workshop of master landscape painter Antonio Smith, while pursuing parallel career in law at the University of Chile, where he finished successfully in 1867. However, his interest in painting would aprevail and he went on to devote full time to art.
From 1873 to 1884 he lived in France. He was a fan of Eugène Delacroix
, copying several of his paintings.
After his return to Chile helped by the innovative spirit of the government of Domingo Santa María
, he felt an opportunity to create an environment similar to the Parisian culture and exhibit his art.
Biography
Lira came from a wealthy family, the son of José Calvo Santos Lira and Martina Rencoret Cienfuegos. Chile was experiencing a time of great economic prosperity, especially after the end of the War of the PacificWar of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific took place in western South America from 1879 through 1883. Chile fought against Bolivia and Peru. Despite cooperation among the three nations in the war against Spain, disputes soon arose over the mineral-rich Peruvian provinces of Tarapaca, Tacna, and Arica, and the...
.
During his childhood and adolescence he studied at the Instituto Nacional
Instituto Nacional
Instituto Nacional , founded on August 10, 1813 by the Chilean patriot José Miguel Carrera , officially Liceo Ex A-0 - Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera, is Chile's oldest and most prestigious school...
where he received a liberal education. He entered the Academy of Painting directed by Alejandro Ciccarelli. By 1862, Lira entered the workshop of master landscape painter Antonio Smith, while pursuing parallel career in law at the University of Chile, where he finished successfully in 1867. However, his interest in painting would aprevail and he went on to devote full time to art.
From 1873 to 1884 he lived in France. He was a fan of Eugène Delacroix
Eugène Delacroix
Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix was a French Romantic artist regarded from the outset of his career as the leader of the French Romantic school...
, copying several of his paintings.
After his return to Chile helped by the innovative spirit of the government of Domingo Santa María
Domingo Santa María
Domingo Santa María González was a Chilean political figure. He served as the president of Chile between 1881 and 1886.-Early life:...
, he felt an opportunity to create an environment similar to the Parisian culture and exhibit his art.