José Cuchi Arnau
Period: Early Republic
1875 - 1936

Quarry
Cantera, ca. 1900
oil on canvas
23 x 39 3/4 inches

Born in Arecibio, Puerto Rico in 1875, José Cuchí Arnau was a distinguished painter and draftsman. After completing his studies in engineering in the United States, Cuchí Arnau then left for Spain to study art at the Escuela Especial de Pintura in Madrid under the tutelage of master painters Casto Placencia and Emilio Sala. The artist, who frequently signed his paintings “Cuchy,” was perhaps best known for his mastery of color contrast. In addition to his painted work, he was also a prolific illustrator for print periodicals and literature, incluing books by the renowned Victor Hugo. The artist returned to Puerto Rico at the beginning of the 20th Century, where he lived and worked until passing away in 1936. Works by José Cuchí Arnau can be found in the permanent collection of the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico.