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José Segrelles | |
|---|---|
| Born | José Segrelles y Albert March 18, 1885 |
| Died | March 3, 1969 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Education | Saint Charles Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Valencia |
| Known for | Painter |
| Movement | Orientalist |
José Segrelles Albert (18 March 1885 - 3 March 1969) was a Spanish painter and illustrator. He was the uncle of cartoonists and painters Eustaquio and Vicente Segrelles.[1]
Segrelles was born in Albaida, Valencia province, in 1885. He studied in the Saint Charles Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Valencia[2] and at Escola de la Llotja in Barcelona.[2] His first job was in a photography studio, working with illumination.[3]


In 1926, already established as an artist in Spain, Segrelles received his first English lessons, foreseeing a possible departure to England.[4] That very year he made an exhibition in London which was poorly received but on 8 September 1926 he received an offer from British magazines The Illustrated London News and The Sketch.[4] Due his appearances in The Sketch, Segrelles received offers from Scandinavian press.[5] He published in The Illustrated London News's Christmas special in 1927,[6] being a regular contributor in the Christmas specials until 1934.[7]
In 1927 he established contacts with the American publishing industry,[6] and received an offer the following year.[8] Segrelles relocated to the Upper West Side,[9] New York City in October, 1928.[10] His first job was for Redbook magazine,[11] and he would work also for The Cosmopolitan. In 1930 he staged his first art exhibition.[12] By this time Cosmopolitan was one of the most popular magazines in America, highlighting Segrelles' work alongside other illustrators such as James Montgomery Flagg.[13] In 1930 Segrelles met Joanne Cummings, Miss Cummings, who became his model.[14]
In 1931, Segrelles exhibited at International Art Center Roerich Museum.[15] US press coined the term Blue Segrelles referring to his dark pallette.[16] The term was a comparison to Maxfield Parrish's Blue Parrish.[16]
He died in his hometown of Albaida in 1969.