He was undoubtedly one of the most outstanding painters of the so-called Generation of the Eighties, during the last years of the 19th century and the first of the following. He began his painting studies in 1885 and then continued his training in Paris, Rome and Turin. There he was influenced by the brothers Doménico and Girolamo Induno, the first to react against academicism.

From the aesthetic point of view, in the early years of the decade the Italian influence predominated in his work, mainly from the “macchiaioli”. The expressive brushstroke against the academic coldness and the preference for verismo in the form of representation. His famous paintings with social content date from this time. This is demonstrated by his 1894 painting “Sin pan y sin trabajo” which was a vibrant reaction against academicism not only for its pathetic and impressive theme, but also for the technique of modeling through color.

In the 1890 Turin Salon, King Umberto I acquired one of his works: the Old Man Head cake.

Later he made portraits and still lifes in oil and pastel. Towards the end of his creative cycle, de la Cárcova began to use a lively light, which greatly clarified his palette and announced the Argentine impressionism that was to flourish in the country during the subsequent period. This is demonstrated by his works “Contraluz”, “Sobre el banco del jardín” and “Naturaleza en silencio”.

He was the founder and first director of both the Superior School of Fine Arts that today bears his name and the National Academy of Fine Arts, he formed numerous disciples, some of whom reached the highest peaks of art such as Carlos Miguel Victorica, Cesáreo B De Quirós, Carlos Ripamonte and others.

He obtained numerous awards in international salons and the Presidency of France awarded him the Legion of Honor in the rank of Knight and later in that of Officer.

Still thinking about that painting from the family collection? Get in contact with us…. It could be from Ernesto de la Cárcova.