The Queen mercedes ship

Gassis was an artillery commander from Gipuzkoa. As an artist, however, he showed an exquisite sensitivity. He may have studied under Martín Rico in Rome. His painting is clearly reminiscent in some ways of the preciosista way in which Rich built his realist landscapes, but his influences can also be traced to his studies with Alejandrino Irureta, in whose work we can see the basis for Gassis's vaporous use of the brush, especially suitable for atmospheric effects. These characteristics can be seen in this oil painting, depicting the cruise ship Queen Mercedes, one of the ships that was to be sunk in the Bay of Santiago in Cuba during the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Mikel Lertxundi Galiana

Inbentory number: GFA-005855-001