Benito Quinquela Martín

Benito Quinquela Martín (Buenos Aires, 1890-1977) was an iconic Argentine painter, known for his vibrant depictions of La Boca’s port and its workers. Abandoned at birth and adopted by a working-class family, he grew up immersed in the port’s activity, which profoundly influenced his art. He studied at the Sociedad Unión de La Boca under Alfredo Lázzari and started exhibiting in 1918 at the Galería Witcomb. His career expanded internationally, with shows at the Salón Nacional, Jockey Club, and in cities like Rio de Janeiro, New York, and several European capitals, where he met artists like Bourdelle and Marinetti. His style, marked by the use of palette knives and bold colors, captured the shipyards and docks’ energy. Beyond painting, Quinquela Martín was a philanthropist, donating works and promoting education in his community. In 1972, he was named Honorary Professor at the University of Buenos Aires.