Luis Menéndez Pidal

Luis Menéndez Pidal (born in Pajares, Asturias, in 1861; died in Madrid in 1932) was a Spanish painter and decorator, and one of the most notable Asturian artists of his time. The son of a magistrate, he studied law at the University of Oviedo and completed the degree in 1884, although painting was his real vocation. He combined these studies with classes at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de San Salvador in Oviedo and, in 1885, enrolled at the Escuela Superior de Pintura in Madrid, where he studied with Alejandro Ferrant.

With a grant, he continued his training in Rome, working with José Villegas Cordero and Francisco Pradilla, and later spent time in Florence at the Ussi academy before returning to Spain in 1888. He won medals at national exhibitions in 1890, 1892 and 1899 for works such as A buen juez, mejor testigo, La cuna vacía and Salus infirmorum, and Queen Regent María Cristina bought some of his paintings. His carefully crafted academic style stands out for its technical mastery and its interest in Asturian subjects, and he was regarded as one of Spain's finest colorists.

He taught at several Madrid schools and in 1907 took up the chair of Drawing and Drapery at the San Fernando Academy, which he held until he retired. He died a few months later. His son, Luis Menéndez Pidal y Álvarez, was an architect and building restorer.