Painter and sculptor

Manolo Valdés was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1942. He is a renowned Spanish painter and sculptor known for merging classical references with contemporary expression. Valdés studied at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de San Carlos in Valencia but left early to pursue a more experimental path. In 1964, he co-founded the influential group Equipo Crónica, using pop art aesthetics to critique political and historical themes. After the group disbanded, Valdés developed a solo career focused on iconic reinterpretations of art history, often drawing from masters like Velázquez, Rembrandt, and Matisse. His large-scale sculptures and textured paintings are celebrated internationally, with works exhibited in major museums and public spaces across Europe and the Americas. He currently lives and works between New York and Madrid.