Ignacio Larra, 1954 | Symbolist painter

Ignacio Larra is a renowned Spanish figurative and mural painter born in Caracas, Venezuela.

At age 14, he relocated to Spain with his parents, where his father -the celebrated landscape artist Juan Larramendi- became his primary artistic mentor.

Larra's distinct style, known for its deep symbolism, intimacy and meticulous attention to fine detail, was heavily shaped by his time spent in Amsterdam studying classical Flemish and Dutch painting.

His father recognized his early talent for painting figures and portraits, guiding his transition into fine oil painting.

In 1983, he directed the structural restoration of historical, centuries-old mural paintings discovered on the facade of the Town Hall in Bera (Navarra), working alongside intellectual Julio Caro Baroja.

For 23 consecutive years, Larra worked exclusively under contract for two major art institutions: Galería Echeverría in Donostia-San Sebastián and Galería Castelló 120 in Madrid.

Ignacio Larra mastered many secrets of artistic skill, and finally determined to paint in oils.

The artist lived in different cities of Spain, traveled to Europe, but always returned to his favorite Bigo.

Together with his wife Margaret and the model (Margarita Irazoqui) took a trip to Amsterdam.

Here, figuratively speaking, was born is now known worldwide artist Ignacio Larra.

Studying the Flemish and Dutch paintings classic, Ignacio Larra took the best of it: the intimacy, the deep symbolism and careful study of every detail of the picture.

On his return to Spain, is working on a cycle of paintings in Dutch fashion, But with its themes drawn from the famous carnivals of Navarre.

On June 1, 2012, he was awarded Spain's prestigious XXI National Fine Arts "Cultura Viva" Prize in Madrid for his professional merit and artistic sensibility.

He has continued to receive high praise from this cultural institution for his exceptional contributions to contemporary Spanish art.

He curated a special centenary tribute exhibition for Julio Caro Baroja in 2014 and later presented the intimate, personal exhibition "Homenaje a mis padres" ("Homage to my Parents") in 2021.

Ignacio Larra è un pittore figurativo contemporaneo nato a Caracas (Venezuela), ma spagnolo d'adozione, celebre per le sue composizioni corali ed allegre che fondono il folklore dei carnevali baschi con la precisione tecnica della pittura fiamminga.

All'età di 14 anni si è trasferito con la famiglia a Bera (Navarra, Spagna), dove vive tuttora.

Figlio d'arte - suo padre era il noto paesaggista Juan Larramendi e sua madre la pittrice Gumersinda Díez - ha sviluppato precocemente un talento individuale orientato alla figura umana, alla ritrattistica ed ai dettagli simbolici.

Le opere di Ignacio Larra si distinguono per un'estetica unica che unisce due mondi apparentemente distanti:La scuola fiamminga ed olandese.

Durante un soggiorno ad Amsterdam con la moglie, Larra è rimasto affascinato dall'arte classica olandese, ereditandone l'intimità, la meticolosità del tratto e l'uso profondo della simbologia.

Ha iniziato a comporre quadri strutturati come antichi retabli religiosi, ma richeggianti di temi profani, legati in particolare al folle e colorato mondo dei carnevali tradizionali di Navarra.

Le scene si svolgono spesso in paesaggi invernali o laghi ghiacciati, popolate da personaggi vestiti con abiti di ispirazione medievale e rinascimentale, intenti a suonare strumenti musicali, ballare o partecipare a banchetti allegri e teatrali.