Juan Bandera Pérez

Juan Bandera Pérez (1917-1999) was born in Casarabonela, Málaga, Spain. A talented artist from a young age, he studied at the Escuela de Artes y Oficios in Málaga. Bandera’s early recognition came from his participation in collective exhibitions, where he won multiple awards, including first prizes for his works Mendigo and Olivos a Contraluz. He later lived and worked in cities like Madrid, Bilbao, Paris, and Mexico, where he became close friends with actor Mario Moreno “Cantinflas.”

Bandera was a versatile artist, producing portraits, landscapes, bodegones, and abstract works. His notable achievements include large-scale portraits such as Última corrida de toros de Manuel Benítez, El Cordobés and the equestrian portrait of the Duke of Sevilla. He was known for his dynamic compositions that reflected both figurative and semi-abstract styles, exploring different techniques throughout his career.

Bandera exhibited widely, both in Spain and internationally, including in Bilbao, Paris, New York, Mexico, and California. He returned to Spain on several occasions, both to his hometown and to cities such as Malaga, Madrid, and others, for exhibitions and to receive honors, including his appointment as “Hijo Predilecto” (Favorite Son) of Casarabonela in 1997. His work has been seen in various prestigious locations, including Madrid, Malaga, Bilbao, Santander, Paris, California, New York, Mexico, Venezuela, Acapulco, Miami, Marbella, Buenos Aires, and Seville. His art is preserved in important private collections around the world and in key institutions, especially in countries where he lived and in his birthplace, which he always carried in his heart. This connection is reflected in his work, where elements related to his hometown often appear. Despite his recognition abroad, Bandera’s work was more appreciated internationally than in Spain during his life, highlighting his global acclaim while being somewhat overlooked locally.