Jungle
Casamance - Oils, medium and large formats
Casamance - Oils, small formats
Casamance - Grease pencil drawings
Tanzania
Marinas
Baobab
Snow
Norway
Etchings
Biography
Contemporary painter Calo Carratalá was born in 1959 near Valencia, Spain, and specialises in figurative paintings of natural landscapes. He has travelled widely to destinations from the Amazon to Norway and developed a romantic view of nature, extolling its beauty and the power of its elements.
A landscape painter
Calo Carratalá began painting at a very young age. He studied Fine Art at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Carlos in Valencia from 1980 and completed his training at the Spanish Academy in Rome in 2000. His time in Rome influenced the techniques and aesthetics of his paintings. Notably from a formal perspective, Calo Carratalá produces large-scale works inspired by the frescoes on the walls of ancient Roman buildings, as well as tondos (circular artworks) directly inspired by those of the Italian masters.
Travel is at the heart of the artist’s creative process: he immerses himself in the places he visits in order to paint them. He also takes photographs and makes sketches that he uses as preparatory studies for his artworks.
Calo Carratalá: a sublime view of nature
Calo Carratalá’s painterly choices are influenced by a contemporary view of landscapes. While Renaissance painters saw representing the world as a way to understand it, Carratalá has a different perspective. He believes we no longer paint nature for the same reasons; contemporary artists now face a natural environment that needs protecting. He says: “For the men of the Renaissance, landscapes were an unknown to discover. But today, landscapes are something to be protected: a world of compartmentalised spaces, protected areas and nature reserves. This is why our view of landscapes is entirely different from that of the past.” However, this change of perspective is mostly mental, since the techniques he uses continue the painterly tradition established in Renaissance art. From a purely technical point of view, the perspective is the same. Calo Carratalá uses the “linear” perspective documented by the Italian theorist Leon Battista Alberti in 1435 in his “Della Pittura” treatise. This means working with accurate proportions and the human viewpoint when painting nature.
The result is a body of works that extols the grandeur of nature, which is turbulent, perhaps even worrying, and magnificent, and also generates feelings of admiration and reflection. From the snow-covered Norwegian mountains to the dense Amazon jungle, Calo Carratalá’s contemporary paintings show nature’s sublime character, in the sense that it transcends human beings with its vastness and the potential power of the elements that make it up. That said, the painter emphasises the personal viewpoint represented by each of his works: for him, painting is about introspection that encourages the onlooker to develop their inner voice and dream of faraway lands.
A career in the contemporary art world
Calo Carratalá’s work has been exhibited at many Spanish and other European galleries since the early nineties. The contemporary painter sees painterly processes as important, ensuring they are visible in his work and winning over collectors and galleries with his pieces’ strong presence. The artist has also won many prestigious prizes since 1995 in light of his captivating paintings.
His works have acquired a certain standing in Spain thanks to public commissions. In 2010, the City of Alicante commissioned him for an exhibition in a metro station focusing on his lápiz and carbon pencil work. The exhibition celebrated the artist’s romantic work, including large-scale pieces that transport onlookers to another world. In 2017, he worked on a very large private commission: a painting of a door on a sheet of metal titled “Amazonia’s Door”. This showed the importance of materials seen as essential, whether it is wood, canvas or metal.
In 2019, the museum exhibition “Baobab: La sombra de África”, presented at the Del Ruso Museum in Alarcón, Spain, marked the beginning of a series of solo exhibitions in institutional settings. In 2024, he exhibited at the La Nau cultural centre at the University of Valencia and at the Antonio Pérez Foundation in Cuenca (Spain), where almost 200 works were brought together for the solo exhibition “Paisajes sin tiempo (Landscapes without Time)”. The following year, he presented an exhibition at the Marqués González de Quirós cultural centre in Gandia (Spain), which focused on landscape and climate change.
Exhibition “El vertader color de los viajes” by Calo Carratalá, EMAT, Torrent (Spain), 2022
Installation view of the exhibition “El vertader color de los viajes” by Calo Carratalá, EMAT, Torrent (Spain), 2022
Installation view of the exhibition “El vertader color de los viajes” by Calo Carratalá, EMAT, Torrent (Spain), 2022
Installation view of the exhibition “El vertader color de los viajes” by Calo Carratalá, EMAT, Torrent (Spain), 2022
Installation view of the exhibition “El vertader color de los viajes” by Calo Carratalá, EMAT, Torrent (Spain), 2022
Installation view of the exhibition “El vertader color de los viajes” by Calo Carratalá, EMAT, Torrent (Spain), 2022
CV
Education
- 2011 : Kunstnarhuset Messen Residence, Norway
- 2009-2010 : Fine Arts teacher at Teruel University, Spain
- 2000-2001 : Spain Academy at Rome
- 1980-1986 : Graduated from the Fine Arts University of San Carlos, Spain
Solo exhibitions
- 2026 : “Todo lugar es provisional”, solo show, Bancaja Fondation (Valencia, Spain)
- 2025 : “Calo Carratalá : le sentiment du paysage”, Massey Museum (Tarbes, France)
- 2025: “Paitsage i canvi climàtic La transformació de la mirada”, Marqués González de Quirós de Gandia Cultural Center (Gandia, Spain)
- 2024: “No hay espacio, todo es tiempo. África en la memoria”, La Nau Cultural Center, University of Valencia (Valencia, Spain)
- 2024: “Paisajes sin tiempo”, Antonio Pérez Foundation (Cuenca, Spain)
- 2022: “El vertader color dels viatges”, EMAT (Torrent, Spain)
- 2022: Solo show, Art Madrid Contemporary art fair (Madrid, Spain)
- 2021: “Caligrafía del paisaje”, Castle of Ribarroja (Valencia Spain)
- 2020-2021: “África, el paisaje inesperado”, Fundació Bancaixa (Sagunto, Spain)
- 2020: “Viajes y territorios”, IV Hybrid Art Fair and Festival (Madrid, Spain)
- 2019: “Apuntes de Tanzania”, Maria Sorolla exhibition hall (Moncofa, Spain)
- 2019: “Baobab. La sombra de Africa”, Ruso Museum (Alarcón, Spain)
- 2018: “De viajes (2008-2018)”, Alacuás Castle (Valencia, Spain)
- 2017: Solo show, Alba Cabrera Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2017: Solo show, MARTE – Castellón Contemporary Art Fair (Castellón de la Plana, Spain)
- 2017: Solo show, Abierto València, Alba Cabrera Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2016: Solo show, Alba Cabrera Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2016: Solo show, Russian Museum of Alarcón (Alarcón, Spain)
- 2016: Solo show, Mora de Rubielos Castle (Teruel, Spain)
- 2015: Solo show, One Studio Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2015: Solo show, Spain College (Paris, France)
- 2014: Solo show, Gallery 4 (Valencia, Spain)
- 2014: Solo show, Walden Contemporary (Valencia, Spain)
- 2013: Solo show, Carmen Centre (Valencia, Spain)
- 2012: Solo show, Color Elefante Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2011: Solo show, Carmen Del Campo Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2010: Solo show, Casino Liberal, Algemesi (Valencia, Spain)
- 2010: Solo show, Metro station Mercado Alicante (Alicante, Spain)
- 2009: Solo show, Egam Gallery (Madrid, Spain)
- 2008: Solo show, Lametro, Exhibition Centre F.G.V (Valencia, Spain)
- 2008: Solo show, María Llanos Gallery (Cáceres, Spain)
- 2007: Solo show, Carmen del Campo Gallery (Cordoba, Spain)
- 2007: Solo show, GWA Gallery (Madrid, Spain)
- 2006: Solo show, EMAT (Torrent-Valencia, Spain)
- 2006: Solo show, Music Palace (Valencia, Spain)
- 2005: Solo show, María Llanos Gallery (Cáceres, Spain)
- 2005: Solo show, Dieciséis Gallery (San Sebastián, Spain)
- 2004: Solo show, José Esquirol Gallery (Alicante, Spain)
- 2004: Solo show, Cuatro Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2003: Solo show, Dieciséis Gallery (San Sebastián, Spain)
- 2002: Solo show, Alameda Gallery (Vigo, Spain)
- 2001: Solo show, Cuatro Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2001: Solo show, Dieciséis Gallery (San Sebastián, Spain)
- 2000: Solo show, Saving Bank of Torrent (Valencia, Spain)
- 2000: Solo show, Cuatro Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 2000: Solo show, Egam Gallery (Madrid, Spain)
- 1999: Solo show, Exhibition centre of Alicante’s University, (Alicante, Spain)
- 1999: Solo show, Club Diario Levante (Valencia, Spain)
- 1998: Solo show, Cuatro Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 1997: Solo show, Bores & Mayo Gallery (Cáceres, Spain)
- 1995: Solo show, Val i 30 Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 1994: Solo show, PG’Art Gandía Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 1993: Solo show, Culture House of Torrent (Torrent, Spain)
- 1992: Solo show, Nave Diez Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 1992: Solo show, Mora de Rubielos Castle (Teruel, Spain)
- 1992: Solo show, Requena City Hall, (Requena, Spain)
- 1990: Solo show, Periférica Gallery (Sueca, Spain)
- 1990: Solo show, Ray Gun Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
Group exhibitions
Selection
- 2026: “VerdeVerdad”, gruop show, Atarazanas del Grau (Valencia, Spain)
- 2022: “Art Madrid”, group show, Shiras Gallery (Madrid, Spain)
- 2020: Group show, Bombas Gens Centre d’Art (Valencia, Spain)
- 2019: “Art Madrid”, group show, Alba Cabrera Gallery (Madrid, Spain)
- 2019: “SINDOKMA”, group show, La Nau, University of Valencia (Valencia, Spain)
- 2018: “Art Madrid”, group show, Alba Cabrera Gallery (Madrid, Spain)
- 2018: “El Aforismo Ilustrado”, group show, University of Seville (Seville, Spain)
- 2018: “Espacios de arte”, group show, Bancaja Foundation (Valencia, Spain)
- 2017: “Art Madrid”, group show, Alba Cabrera Gallery (Madrid, Spain)
- 2015: “75th Anniversary Painting Competition of Valdepeñas”, group show, Centro del Carmen (Valencia, Spain)
- 2004: “XIX Premio BMW de Pintura”, group show (Madrid, Spain)
- 2004: Group show, Nicomedes García Gómez Foundation (Segovia, Spain)
- 2001: “Segni di Pace”, group show, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Palestrina (Rome, Italy)
- 2001: “Roma 8 1/2”, group show, Sala del Instituto Cervantes (Rome, Italy)
- 2001: Group show, Spanish Academy (Rome, Italy)
- 2001: Group show, Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (Madrid, Spain)
- 1999: “IX Concurso Internacional de Pintura Fundación Barceló”, group show (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)
- 1995: Group show, Pelaires Foundation (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)
- 1993: Group show, Museu de Vilafranca del Penedès (Barcelona, Spain)
Collections
- Torrent City Council (Torrent, Valencia, Spain)
- San Isidro Savings Bank of Vall d’Uxó (Vall d’Uxó, Castellón, Spain)
- Albaida City Council (Albaida, Valencia, Spain)
- Villa de Pego Museum of Modern Art (Pego, Alicante, Spain)
- University of Extremadura (Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain)
- Vitoria City Council (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Spain)
- Mafre Vida Cultural Foundation (Madrid, Spain)
- Regional Valencian Parliament (Valencia, Spain)
- Regional Ministry of Industry (Valencia, Spain)
- Bancaixa Foundation (Valencia, Spain)
- Mercantile Athenaeum (Valencia, Spain)
- Rural Savings Bank of Torrent (Torrent, Valencia, Spain)
- Spanish Academy in Rome (Rome, Italy)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Madrid, Spain)
- Quesada City Council (Quesada, Jaén, Spain)
- Estepa City Council, Father Martín Recio Museum (Estepa, Seville, Spain)
- Provincial Council of Alicante (Alicante, Spain)
- Giménez Godoy Collection (Murcia, Spain)
- Wellington Foundation (Madrid, Spain)
- Guadalajara Savings Bank (Guadalajara, Spain)
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Our Lady of Sorrows (Granada, Spain)
- Galician Royal Academy of Fine Arts (A Coruña, Galicia, Spain)
- Valdepeñas City Council (Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain)
Awards & Residencies
- 2014: 75th International Art Competition of Valdepeñas (Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain), Gold Medal
- 2014: “Carta de Poblament” Prize for Arts, Letters and Sports, City of Torrent (Torrent, Valencia, Spain)
- 2009: Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Our Lady of Sorrows (Granada, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 2008: Autumn Salon, Galician Royal Academy of Fine Arts (A Coruña, Spain), First Prize
- 2006: 21st BMW Painting Prize (Madrid, Spain), Medal of Honor
- 2005: 6th International Painting Competition Royal Premier Hotels (Torremolinos, Málaga, Spain), Honorable Mention
- 2004: 4th Wellington Foundation Painting Competition (Madrid, Spain), Acquisition Prize
- 2004: 32nd National Art Competition, Caja de Guadalajara (Guadalajara, Spain), First Prize
- 2003: 2003 Visual Arts Call, Provincial Council of Alicante (Alicante, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 2002: 2002 Visual Arts Call, Provincial Council of Alicante (Alicante, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 2002: National Exhibition of Fine Arts (Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 2001: 62nd National Exhibition of Fine Arts (Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 2000: International Painting Competition “Homage to Rafael Zabaleta” (Quesada, Jaén, Spain), Second Prize
- 2000: International Painting Competition of Valdepeñas (Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 2000: Scholarship from the Spanish Academy in Rome (Rome, Italy), Painting, Academic Year 2000–2001
- 1999: 60th National Exhibition of Fine Arts (Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 1999: 8th Painting Competition of the Lawers Illustrious College of Madrid (Madrid, Spain), Honorable Mention
- 1998: 25th Bancaixa Painting and Sculpture Prize (Valencia, Spain), First Prize in Painting
- 1998: 29th Autumn Salon Prize, Mercantile Athenaeum of Valencia (Valencia, Spain), First Prize
- 1997: 5th Iberdrola-UEX Painting Competition (Cáceres, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 1997: 21st Villa de Pego Painting Competition (Pego, Alicante, Spain), First Prize
- 1997: Contemporary Art Competition (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Spain), Arte Gasteiz, Artwork Acquisition
- 1997: 15th Penagos Drawing Prize (Madrid, Spain), Third Prize
- 1996: 10th José Segrelles National Painting Competition (Albaida, Valencia, Spain), Artwork Acquisition
- 1996: 25th International Painting, Sculpture and Drawing Competition “Homage to Rafael Zabaleta” (Quesada, Jaén, Spain), Special Mention
- 1996: 20th Villa de Pego Painting Competition (Pego, Alicante, Spain), Honorable Mention
- 1995: 9th José Segrelles National Painting Competition (Albaida, Valencia, Spain), Honorable Mention
Publications
- 2024: “No hi ha espai, tot és temps. Àfrica a la memòria”, edited by University of Valencia (Valencia, Spain)
- 2024: “PAISAJES SIN TIEMPO”, edited by Antonio Pérez Foundation – Provincial Council of Cuenca (Cuenca, Spain)
- 2022: “El verdadero color de los viajes”, edited by Torrent City Council (Torrent, Spain)
- 2021: “Caligrafia del Paisaje”, edited by Riba-Roja de Turia City Council (Valencia, Spain)
- 2020: “África, un paisaje inesperado”, edited by Bancaixa Foundation (Valencia, Spain)
- 2018: “La mirada del silencio”, edited by Alarcón City Council (Cuenca, Spain)
- 2018: “De viajes (2008–2018)”, edited by Alaquàs City Council (Valencia, Spain)
- 2013: “Noruega-2011”, edited by Consortium of Museums of the Valencian Community – Centre del Carme (Valencia, Spain)
- 2010: “Paisatje-Lloc. Viajes del Amazonas a los Alpes”, edited by Algemesí City Council (Valencia, Spain)
- 2010: “El Paisaje de la mirada”, edited by Carmen del Campo Gallery (Cordoba, Spain)
- 2009: “Selvas, el 2º viaje al Amazonas”, edited by Castell de l’Olla (Altea, Spain)
- 2008: “Calo Carratalá”, edited by Valencian Regional Government (Valencia, Spain)
- 2007: “Nieve”, edited by Carmen del Campo Gallery (Córdoba, Spain)
- 2006: “Nieve”, edited by Palau de la Musica (Valencia, Spain)
- 2003: “Cuarenta días en el desierto”, edited by Dieciséis Gallery (San Sebastián, Spain)
- 2001: “Adriático”, edited by Cuatro Gallery (Valencia, Spain)
- 1999: “Landscapes”, edited by Club Diario Levante (Valencia, Spain)
- 1998: “ Torrentorrent”, edited by EMAT (Torrent, Spain)
- 1992: “Calo Carratalá”, edited by Requena City Council (Requena, Spain)
Articles
Calo Carratalá, the Feeling of Landscape
Until 28 June 2026, the Musée Massey in Tarbes presents the “Calo Carratalá, the Feeling of Landscape” exhibition. Through some thirty works...
Calo Carratalá: Landscape and Climate Change
Until 30 August, the Casa de Cultura in Gandia (Spain) is hosting the exhibition ‘Landscape and Climate Change: The Transformation of the Gaze’...
Paisajes sin tiempo: the Africa of Calo Carratalá
Until June 2, the Antonio Pérez Foundation in Cuenca (Spain) is hosting ‘Paisajes sin tiempo’, an exhibition by Calo Carratalá...
