 | Joaquin Clausell
(1866 - 1935)
Born on June 16 1866 in Campeche Mexico to a Mexican mother by the name of Marcelina Franconis and a Spanish father, José Clausell making him Meztizo in caste. He relocates to Mexico City when he turns 20 years old and receives a degree from Law School. The great injustice that reigns throughout the country in those years drive him to publicly fight against the tyranny of politicians and during that time he becomes editor and contributor of various newspapers and periodicals in Mexico. His activism lands him in jail several times and finally in 1892 he is exiled to France where he takes residence in Paris for a year.
Young Clausell becomes amazed by the romantic lifestyle of Montmartre where artists achieve worldwide recognition for their work. It is here where he learns about impressionism, a style that he was to perfect and make his own during his lifetime and together with his friendship with Dr. Atl would become the driving force towards his career in art.
Clausell became the master of impressionist landscapes in Mexico at the turn of the century. He died tragically on November 28, 1935, when he fell from a rock wall in Lagunas de Zempoala in Morelos while he was making one of his frequent hikes out in the Mexican outdoors. |