Born in 1945 in Valencia, Spain, Royo began demonstrating
his artistic talent early. At the age of 9 his father, a prominent
physician and avid art enthusiast, employed private tutors
to instruct Royo in drawing, painting, and sculpture. When
Royo turned 14 he entered the San Carlos Royal Academy of
Fine Arts in Valencia. Upon turning 18 Royo continued his
artistic studies privately with Aldolfo Ferrer Amblat, Chairman
of Art Studies at the San Carlos Academy. He also visited
the major museums in Europe at this time to study the famous
masters-Velasquez, Goya, Renoir, Monet, and Sorolla among
others.
During the mid-60's-early 70's Royo added more dimensions
to his skills creating theatre sets and doing graphic illustration
and restoration work. He also participated in prestigious
competitions gaining major distinctions. In 1968 he began
to exhibit in Spain, specifically Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona.
With positive reception of his works in Madrid, Royo received
commissions to paint the royal portraits of King Juan Carlos
and Queen Sofia. He received subsequent commissions to paint
the Judges of the High Magistrate and the Court of Justice,
as well as prominent political and society figures.
At the age of 25 Royo began feeling a growing desire to paint
the land of his birth; to convey the light, the colour and
the intensity of Valencia and the Mediterranean. This meant
a new focus and change of style in his work; he needed to
perfect new ways to capture the light, the shadow and to work
on classical composition styles. Through the 1980's Royo perfected
his style of painting the Mediterranean and exhibited abroad,
notably in London, Brussels, Copenhagen and Paris. He also
participated in the International Geneva Art Fair.
Beginning in 1989 and continuing until today we see the development
of Royo's "matured" style. His dramatic use of color
and "texturing" capture his subject matter with
unique flair. Parallels can be drawn to the work of the European
masters; for example, with Royo's "homage to the female
form," we see the distinct influence of Renoir. It is
the similar, almost portrait-like treatment of the female
model, caught in a serene, contemplative moment, with the
surrounding "bursts" of colour from the floral landscapes
where we see the "Renoir" in Royo's work. In fact,
critics have concluded, "If the artwork of Renoir were
blended with that of the 'Valencian painters' you would arrive
at the canvasses approaching the uniqueness of the impressive
work of Royo."
Impressive parallels can also be drawn between Royo's work
and that of the Spanish master, Joaquin Sorolla. Both were
born in Valencia, both were classically trained, both "matured"
into styles of painting capturing the dramatic visual essence
of their homeland-Valencia and the Mediterranean Sea. They
have both been described as "painters of the Light";
some have said, "Of the Light of the South," that
is, the southern coast of Spain. It is the overwhelming influence
of Sorolla blended with his own style that make Royo's masterful
treatment of the Mediterranean subjects both haunting and
mysterious, yet full of raw power at the same time. The sweeping
brush strokes, bold swaths of colour, and heavy impasto capture
the eye and draws one inward until that final absolute moment
of awareness that one is actually there in the scene feeling
the light and heat of the sun, the salt and sea spray, and
hearing the crashing surf. Royo conveys not merely image,
but mood and atmosphere as well. This is rare in today's art
world; hence the connoisseur is compelled to compare with
the old masters. Thus, the appeal of Royo's work for today's
collector becomes obvious. With pride we offer the art work
of today's Spanish master painter, Royo, to the art connoisseurs
of the world.