Mariano Fortuny

Born. 1887 in Granada
Died. 1949 in Venedig

Spanish universal artist

About the artist

Mariano Fortuny y Marsal was born in Granada on 11 May 1871. His father was a famous artist who had already found international fame but died when Mariano was only 3 years old. It was at this point that his mother decided that it would be better to be with the family in Paris.

Mariano’s artistic talent was recognised and he was encouraged to keep up his studies.

At the age of 20, he was influenced by Wagner’s operas when he was in Germany and as a result,  he created drawings and engraving based on his work.

His best work was not an art form as we know it. Mariano found a way to shed light indirectly by using a dome reflection effect. This patented design of the Fortuny System / Dome is still used in theatres and modern photography today.

As well as being a painter and lighting designer Mariano worked in many fields such as fashion and textile design. He later became an Italian citizen and spent his last years in Venice.

He died in 1949 in his palace in Venice and was buried in the monumental Campo de Verano communal cemetery in Rome.