Federico Sulroca
Period: Early Republic
1860 - 1931

Landscapes with Cattle (Paisaje con Ganado), ca 1903,
oil on canvas,
27 x 42 inches

Federico Sulroca Spencer (1860- 1931) was born in the township of Guanabacoa, a province of Havana, on November 25. He studied at the San Alejandro Academy, where the illustrious landscape painter Valentín Sanz Carta and Miguel Melero were his instructors. He was well recognized for his paintings, winning First Prize in 1905 in a contest sponsored by the journal La Marina. In 1908, his excellent landscape Una Puesta de Sol (A Sunset) received the highest distinction at the Athenaeum of Havana.


In 1912 he became a Professor at San Alejandro School, a position which he held for many years. He was a teacher to the painter Wifredo Lam, who praised him in several interviews. Federico Sulroca Spencer participated in numerous art committees which evaluated emerging artists. He was also member of the National Academy of Arts and Letters. The artist passed away in Havana on August 30 of 1931.