Aurelio MELERO
1870–1929, Cuba

Aurelio Melero, son of the painter Miguel Melero and brother of Miguel Angel Melero, could not how they stop be a painter. He was born in the city of Havana, in the year 1870, entering the age of 12 years in the Painting Academy San Alejandro, where his father was director, and he interrupted his studies at the decision of its parent, which was in his character too mischievous to be a good example at the Academy. Later, he began studies in architecture at the Vocational School, which she left after become companion of his father; when the death of his brother Miguel Angel, which occurred in Paris, decided at the to cultivate painting and sculpture as a profession. Its production was overwhelming, covered all the genres of the arts, but he stood out more in the portrait, still the painter of almost all corporations Official and individual companies of the Republic, as well as mansions of main families. Together with Federico Edelmann and others, founded the 1ST Annual Hall of Fine Arts and the Association of painters and sculptors; placed at the service of these institutions all their enthusiasm and hard work. He headed since its foundation, the School of Arts and Crafts, villate Foundation, and she left traces of their knowledge and their skills as organizer. By its merits as a teacher at the school, was awarded the prize Light Caballero , distinction of extraordinary importance, given the Economic Society of Friends of the country. Participated in the National Exhibition held in Havana in 1911. Went to all of the Halls per year from 1916 until 1929. Work was conducted decorative nature, such as the roof of the Library of the building for the Journal of the Marina, where he represented: the goddess Minerva, the Poetry, printing, Juno, love, war, as well as a allegorical painting in the building of the Academy of Sciences of Havana. It is also devoted to sculpture, among their executions the medallion in bas-relief depicting the Generalissimo Maximum Gómez is placed at the monument that saves the remnants of the caudillo in Colón Cemetery. It was a great protector of the National Museum since its foundation, donating to the many valuable objects and tables family and classic authors. His death occurred on March 24, 1929. (Data extracted from the Dictionary of visual artists in Cuba, Antonio Rodríguez Morey, unpublished)

Source: Ester Orta, estersofy@gmail.com