Xavier Gonzalez (1898 - 1993)

A painter of landscapes and figures, muralist, sculptor and teacher, Xavier Gonzalez was born in Almeria, Spain and was active in Provincetown, Massachusetts from 1947. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago from 1921 to 1923 and with his uncle, Jose Arpa. He also studied at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City and in Paris and in the Far East. 

In the 1920s, he went to San Antonio, Texas to assist his uncle as an art instructor, and he spent time there an as art instructor as well as at Newcomb College at Tulane University.

He was one of the early action painters, beginning in the 1930s, which was many years before Jackson Pollock made this style so famous. But he refused to exhibit that kind of work because he didn't want his experiments to be regarded as his final painting.

Source: Peter Falk, "Who Was Who in American Art"
Biography from Butler Institute of American Art:
Born February 15, 1898 in Almeria Spain. Education: Art Institute of Chicago 1921 - 1923 and with his uncle Jose Ara; San Carlos Academy in Mexico City; Paris; Far East.  

Exhibits: Los Angeles 1930 (prize); Art and Crafts Exhibition in New Orleans 1937 (prize);

Holdings: War and Peace Auditorium; San Antonio Museum of Fine Art; Dallas Museum of Fine Art; State Teachers College in Alpine, TX; United States Post Office in Hammond, LA; Court House in Huntsville, AL

Position: Teacher Newcomb Memorial College School of Art; Director Art School at Sul Ros State Teachers College in Alpine, TX