Dr. Daniel Castellanos came from a prestigious family from Montevideo, Uruguay's capital city. In the 1930s he was the ambassador of his country in Madrid,and later in the 1940s in London. Witnessing both the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, he was working in politics during a turbulent time in Europe.
In addition to his work as a diplomat, Castellanos had a great eye for art. The collection he acquired during his lifetime featured both European and Brazilian pieces from the 17th to the 19th century. Sculptures, historical documents, ceramics, tapestries, religious carvings, chandeliers, antiquarian books and modern art - Castellanos' collection was rather accomplished.
The work of the Uruguayan artist Carlos Alberto Castellanos was a major focus of the collection. Castellanos began his education with the painter Carlos María Herrera. In 1904 he moved to Europe where he travelled for three years before living with Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida in his workshop in Madrid in 1907. Subsequently, he undertook another study trip through the South American continent, which led him to Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. After his return to Spain, Castellanos settled down on the island of Mallorca. He moved once more, this time to Paris. He died in his home country of Uruguay in 1945.
In 1905, Carlos Alberto Castellanos co-founded the Círculo Fomento de Bellas Artes and later in 1931 the Sociedad Amigos del Arte. Between 1915 and 1945, the artist was the recipient of many awards, including the Grand Prix in 1937 for his design of the Uruguayan pavilion at the World Exposition in Paris. Castellano's works were exhibited during his lifetime in both South America and Europe. Today, his works can be found in museums in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Luxembourg as well as in private collections.
Whether Daniel Castellanos and Carlos Alberto Castellanos were related, unfortunately, has never been classified.
The auction of Daniel Castellanos' collection will take place at Subastas Zorrilla, at the Belmont Hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 19th and 20th May, 2017. For those who can't make it to Uruguay, the auction is available online. Check out the full catalogue here.
