| When
Royo turned 14 he entered the San Carlos Royal Academy of Fine Arts in
Valencia
.
Upon turning 18 Royo continued his artistic studies privately with
Aldolfo Ferrer Amblat, Chairman of Art Studies at the
San
Carlos
Academy
.
He also visited the major museums in
Europe
at this time to study the famous masters-Velasquez, Goya, Renoir, Monet,
and Sorolla among others.
During
the mid-60's-early 70's Royo added more dimensions to his skills
creating theatre sets and doing graphic illustration and restoration
work. He also participated in prestigious competitions gaining major
distinctions. In 1968 he began to exhibit in
Spain
,
specifically
Lisbon
,
Madrid
and
Barcelona
.
With positive reception of his works in
Madrid
,
Royo received commissions to paint the royal portraits of King Juan
Carlos and Queen Sofia. He received subsequent commissions to paint the
Judges of the High Magistrature and the Court of Justice, as well as
prominent political and society figures.
At
the age of 25 Royo began feeling a growing desire to paint the land of
his birth; to convey the light, the color and the intensity of
Valencia
and the
Mediterranean
. This meant a new focus and change of style in his work; he needed to
perfect new ways to capture the light, the shadow and to work on
classical composition styles. Through the 1980's Royo perfected his
style of painting the
Mediterranean
and exhibited abroad, notably in
London
,
Brussels
,
Copenhagen
and
Paris
. He also participated in the International Geneva Art Fair.
Beginning in 1989 and continuing until today we see the development of
Royo's "matured" style. His dramatic use of color and
"texturing" capture his subject matter with unique flair.
Parallels can be drawn to the work of the European masters; for example,
with Royo's "homage to the female form," we see the distinct
influence of Renoir. It is the similar, almost portrait-like treatment
of the female model, caught in a serene, contemplative moment, with the
surrounding "bursts" of color from the floral landscapes where
we see the "Renoir" in Royo's work. In fact, critics have
concluded, "If the artwork of Renoir were blended with that of the
'Valencian painters' you would arrive at the canvasses approaching the
uniqueness of the impressive work of Royo."
Impressive parallels can also be drawn between Royo's work and that of
the Spanish master, Joaquin Sorolla. Both were born in Valencia, both
were classically trained, both "matured" into styles of
painting capturing the dramatic visual essence of their
homeland-Valencia and the Mediterranean Sea. They have both been
described as "painters of the Light"; some have said, "of
the Light of the South," that is, the southern coast of
Spain
. It is the overwhelming influence of Sorolla blended with his own style
that make Royo's masterful treatment of the Mediterranean subjects both
haunting and mysterious, yet full of raw power at the same time. The
sweeping brush strokes, bold swaths of color, and heavy impasto capture
the eye and draws one inward until that final absolute moment of
awareness that one is actually there in the scene feeling the light and
heat of the sun, the salt and sea spray, and hearing the crashing surf.
Royo conveys not merely image, but mood and atmosphere as well. This is
rare in today's art world, hence the connoisseur is compelled to compare
with the old masters. Thus, the appeal of Royo's work for today's
collector becomes obvious. With pride we offer the art work of today's
Spanish master painter, Royo, to the art connoisseurs of the world. |