ANTONIO RÍOS MARTÍN 

born El Tiemblo, province of Ávila, Spain

An alley in Pastrana (Province of Guadalajara, Spain), 1982
Original Hand-Signed Aquatint – 

Dated 1982

Artwork Description

Executed in etching and aquatint on heavy paper, this detailed architectural scene depicts a narrow, cobblestone alley framed dramatically through a massive stone archway in the historic town of Pastrana (Guadalajara, Spain).

Beyond the arch, multi-story medieval and Renaissance-era buildings feature iron balcony railings, timber framing, wooden shutters, and a wall-mounted lantern lining the winding street.

Antonio Ríos Martín displays his technical mastery of intaglio printmaking through fine, cross-hatched line work and delicate aquatint shading, giving tactile depth to the ancient stone masonry and cobblestones.

Style & Movement

·         20th-Century Spanish Architectural Realism: Emphasizes topographical accuracy, structured linear perspective, and precise draftsmanship to document traditional Spanish townscapes.

·         Intaglio Printmaking / Graphic Realism: Combines fine copperplate etching with soft aquatint tones to create rich atmospheric lighting and geometric spatial depth within a print matrix.

Themes & Motifs

·         Framed Perspective & Portals: The heavy stone arch acts as a natural frame (repoussoir), guiding the viewer’s eye into the receding streetscape.

·         Spanish Heritage & Vernacular Architecture: Celebrates classic Castilian rural architecture—cobblestone alleys, stone arches, ironwork balconies, and historic streetlamps.

·         Urban Nostalgia & Atmosphere: The absence of figures highlights the quiet, timeless elegance of historic Spanish towns.

 


Artist Name: ANTONIO RÍOS MARTÍN

Title: 
An alley in Pastrana (Province of Guadalajara, Spain), 1982

Signature Description:
Signed in pencil and dated "1982" lower right, 

Titled lower middle, 

Approved "P.A." lower left

Technique: Aquatint

 
Plate Size: 16 x 12 cm / Sheet Size: 38 x 27 cm


Frame: Unframed

Condition: Very good condition.


Artist's Biography:

ANTONIO RÍOS MARTÍN (born in El Tiemblo, province of Ávila) is a 20th-century Spanish printmaker and artist best known for his copperplate etchings, aquatints, and architectural graphics. He lived and worked in Madrid for many years. He was primarily active in Madrid during the 1970s and 1980s.
After completing his studies in education, he began his training in the fields of painting and printmaking through various studies and courses in Spain and Italy.

In 1986, he expanded his activities to teaching, conducting an etching course at the Madrid Book Fair and later teaching printmaking techniques at the Liceo Español de Cultura.

He specializes in intaglio printmaking—specifically aquatint and copperplate etching—with a focus on architectural subjects, urban views of Madrid (such as the Palacio Real and El Pirulí), historical Spanish towns (like Pastrana), and sculptural or studio compositions.
His original prints are preserved in Spanish institutional collections, including the print collection of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Academia Colecciones) in Madrid.
He is known for his strong graphic lines, intricate aquatint tonal shading, and precise architectural draftsmanship.

Nacido en El Tiemblo (Ávila), vive y trabaja en Madrid desde hace años.
Tras finalizar sus estudios de Magisterio, inicia su formación en el campo de la pintura y el grabado realizando diversos estudios y cursos (España e Italia).
En el año 1986 extiende su actividad a la docencia, impartiendo un curso de aguafuerte en la Feria del Libro de Madrid y posteriormente enseñando la técnica del grabado en el Liceo Español de Cultura.

EXPOSICIONES COLECTIVAS (Group Exhibitions):

·         1981:

o    Galería Abril (Madrid)

o    Exposición Internacional de Grabado en el Ateneo de Ourense

o    Exposición de Minigrabados en la Galería Fort (Barcelona)

·         1982:

o    Galería Abril (Madrid)

o    Exposición de Minigrabados en Cadaqués (Gerona)

·         1983:

o    Galería Abril (Madrid)

o    Exposición Monográfica sobre "La Luna" en la Galería San (Madrid)

·         1984:

o    Galería Abril (Madrid)

o    Exposición de Feria, Ayuntamiento de El Tiemblo

·         1985:

o    Exposición Internacional de Grabado "Máximo Ramos", Museo Municipal Bello Piñeiro, El Ferrol (La Coruña)

·         1986–87:

o    Exposición Internacional de Grabado "Máximo Ramos", Museo Municipal Bello Piñeiro, El Ferrol (La Coruña)

o    Ateneo de Madrid

o    Exposición de Minigrabados en Cadaqués (Gerona)

·         1988: (and additional undated entries listed)

o    Exposición Internacional de Arte Postal (Granada)

o    Exposición Internacional de Grabado, El Ferrol (La Coruña)

o    Exposición en Galería Térculo (Madrid), patrocinada por Cabildo Insular de Las Palmas, Homenaje a Carmen Arozena

o    Exposición en el Ateneo de Madrid

o    Exposición Internacional de Grabado, El Ferrol (La Coruña)

o    Exposición en Cadaqués (Gerona)

·         1989:

o    Exposición Internacional de Arte Postal, Granada

o    Exposición Internacional de Grabado, El Ferrol (La Coruña)

o    Exposición en Galería Térculo (Madrid), patrocinada por Cabildo Insular de Las Palmas, Homenaje a Carmen Arozamena

o    Exposición en el Ateneo de Madrid

o    Exposición Internacional de Grabado, El Ferrol (La Coruña)

o    Exposición en Cadaqués (Gerona).
 

EXPOSICIONES INDIVIDUALES (Solo Exhibitions)

·          Galería El Ratón, Madrid

·          Ateneo, El Tiemblo (Ávila)

·          Exposición de Aguafuertes en color, Tokio (Japón) (Color Etchings Exhibition in Tokyo)

·          Colegio de Médicos de Cáceres

·          Ayuntamiento de El Tiemblo (Ávila)

·          Galería Julieta Conde, Santillana del Mar (Santander)

·          Feria de Artesanía de Madrid

·          Exposición de Grabados de Guayas, Madrid

·          Mercado Puerta de Toledo, Exposición de la Comunidad de Madrid

·          VII Feria de Artesanía de Madrid

·          Casa de la Cultura, Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

 

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