Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench died in 1916; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1986.
In context
The memory lesson — Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 67 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench (1849–1916) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/ignacio-pinazo-camarlench-the-memory-lesson-8LJ4CC-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Black #0a0b0f
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 57.2% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 171 works by this artist, of which 41 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Valencia, Spain
Born: Valencia, Spain in 1849 into a poor family.
Pinazo faced early hardship, being forced to contribute to the family income from a young age.
He worked as a silversmith, tile painter, and fan decorator before pursuing formal artistic training.
His mother’s death from cholera and his father's passing led him to live with his grandparents.
In 1864, he enrolled at the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts in Valencia while continuing to work as a hatter to support himself.
Pinazo’s artistic career began around age 21, achieving initial success in Barcelona three years later.
His early work focused on conventional historical themes but shifted dramatically after a pivotal trip to Rome in 1873.
Inspired by his travels, he embraced painting family subjects, nude figures, and scenes from daily life – anticipating the style of Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida and Francisco Domingo.
A second extended stay in Rome (1876-1881), funded by a grant, further refined his Impressionistic approach.
He developed a style characterized by dark colors – blacks, browns, and earth tones – alongside the scintillating palette of Impressionism, often employing rapid brushstrokes.
Pinazo received commissions from the Valencian aristocracy, including the Marchioness of Benicarló.
He earned silver medals at art exhibitions in 1881 and 1885, followed by gold medals in 1887 and 1899.
He was awarded a royal medal for his artistic contributions.
In 1912, the city of Valencia honored him by naming a street after him.
Notable Works: Las hijas del Cid, Los últimos momentos del rey Don Jaime el Conquistador, El guardavía, and Barca en la playa.
Pinazo married Teresa Martinez Montfort, and they had two sons, Ignacio and Jose, both of whom also became painters.
He temporarily relocated to Bétera during a cholera epidemic in Valencia in 1884, residing at the villa “Maria” owned by banker Jose Jaumandreu.
Pinazo is considered one of the most prominent Valencian artists of the late 19th century, bridging traditional styles with emerging Impressionistic techniques.
His work provides valuable insight into Spanish society and daily life during his era.
The largest collection of his paintings and drawings is held at the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM), though not always on permanent display. His works can also be found in the Museu de Belles Arts de València and the Museo del Prado.
Died: Godella, Spain in 1916 at the age of 67, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy.
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Look closely
The memory lesson — Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
Other names recorded for Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench, creator of "The memory lesson", include Ignacio, Son Of The Artist, Pinazo.
A digital image of "The memory lesson" by Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench can be purchased on its Digital Image page: a high-resolution digital image download.
"The memory lesson" is attributed to Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench.