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Lanzarote
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This world acclaimed artiste & sculptor was born on the Island of Lanzarote on April 24th 1919
In 1945 Cesar Manrique entered into a scholarship in Madrid graduating as a professor of arts and painting.
After university Cesar Manrique travelled to New York where he was introduced to the director of the institute of international education by his cousin and was able to procure a grant which he used to establish a studio and produced a number of works, some of which were exhibited in the prestigious New York gallery.
By the sixty's Cesar Manrique had multiple exhibitions in country's such as Spain, Germany, England, Italy & Sweden all given the perspective to Manrique's impression of the world but especially the island of Lanzarote, presenting his paradise to the world.
Even with his passion for painting he still found time to develop his architectural knowledge producing wonderful constructions in tune with their locations. The first major example was the grotto of Jameos del Agua developed from the flute of the Volcano Corona. He then went on to design Casa del Campesino at the most northern point of the Lanzarote with its spectacular views to Graciosa.
As well as the architectural constructions Cesar Manrique designed large sculptors which you will see around the Island, many depicting the life of the residents of Lanzarote through there some time turbulent past.
Sadly Cesar Manrique was killed in a traffic accident throwing the Island into a period of mourning but the legacy continues! Back in 1968 when he returned to Lanzarote he was dismayed at the direction the Canary Islands were taking to provide accommodation for the visitors so he began to set in motion a campaign to retain the Islands architectural identity preventing the high rise hotels and unsightly advertising that seemed to follow the mass tourism throughout the world. These restrictions ensured the preservation of the Islands historical to past for the future visitors.
For the traveller visiting Lanzarote you can experience the gift of Cesar Manrique an unparalleled quality and unique experience found only on this Island which has now been named as a biosphere and a place of unique historical interest by the European parliament.
