Carlos de Haes

Born in Brussels, Haes spent his youth in Malaga, southern Spain, before returning to Belgium in 1850 to study with the landscape painter Joseph Quineaux (1822-95), who encouraged his students to paint in the open air.

After travelling through France, Germany and Holland, Haes returned to Madrid in 1855 where, two years later, he was offered the chair for landscape painting at the Royal Academy of San Fernando. Made Academician of Merit in 1861, Haes became an influential figure at the Academy, particularly influencing his student Aureliano Berruete (1845 - 1912), who was to become one of the leading Spanish Impressionists.