Background
Gonzalez, Xavier was born on February 15, 1898 in Almeria, Spain. Son of Emilio and Gracia (Arpa) Gonzalez. came to the United States 1921, naturalized 1931.
Gonzalez, Xavier was born on February 15, 1898 in Almeria, Spain. Son of Emilio and Gracia (Arpa) Gonzalez. came to the United States 1921, naturalized 1931.
Gonzalez began his studies at the Art Institute of Chicago from 1921 to 1923, and his uncle, José Arpa, studied with him there. He also studied at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City, as well as in Paris and the Far East.
He lived in Argentina and Mexico for some time, planning to become an engineer in a gold mine. In 1925, he immigrated to the United States. Gonzales commandeered the canteen wall at Newcomb for the use of his art students.
Gonzalez"s works have been displayed throughout the United States including at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as in Paris, Venice, Brussels and Tokyo.
He taught art at Tulane University, the Brooklyn Museum, Case Western Reserve University, and the Newcomb Memorial School of Art, and was the director of the art school at Sul Ross State Teachers College, in Alpine, Texas. In 1953, he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member, and became a full Academician in 1955.
He illustrated a children"s book called "He Who Saw Everything, The Epic of Gilgamesh" by Anita Feagles (copy written 1966). Gonzalez died of leukemia in 1993, at the age of 94, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, New York City.
Covington, Louisiana, Tung Oil Industry, 1939, oil on canvas
Hammond, Louisiana, Strawberry Farming, 1937, oil on canvas
Huntsville, Alabama, Tennessee Valley Authority, Federal Courthouse, oil on canvas
Kilgore, Texas, Pioneer Saga, 1941, oil on canvas
Kilgore, Texas, Drilling for Oil, 1941, oil on canvas
Kilgore, Texas, Music of Plains, 1941. oil on canvas
Kilgore, Texas, Contemporary Youth, 1941. oil on canvas.
Member American Water Color Society, American National Academy, Artists Equity, Century Club (New York City). M C.
Married Ethel Edvarde, August 24, 1935.