Antonio López signature the portrait of former President Ángel J. Gómez Montoro that will be hung in the Degrees hall of the University.

On November 8, 2011, the then President of the University of Navarra, Ángel J. Gómez Montoro, presented the painter Antonio López at his home with the symbols that accompany the degree scroll of doctor 'Honoris Causa': doctoral biretta, ring, book of science and diploma; as well as the toga and the muceta that make up the academic robes. The painter was unable to attend the investiture ceremony for health reasons. "We all like to be loved and this recognition is a demonstration of the esteem that the University of Navarra has for me," said the artist upon learning of his appointment.

Today, almost 14 years after that meeting, the trajectories of the painter and member of the University faculty and Gómez Montoro, President between 2005 and 2012, have met again at the Museum, where the act of submission of the portrait that Antonio López has made of Ángel Gómez Montoro has taken place and which will be hung, together with the other paintings of the rectors of the academic center, in the Degrees hall of the University. 

The painting will be temporarily exhibited at the Museo Universidad de Navarra until May and can be viewed free of charge, coinciding with the celebration of its tenth anniversary. 

"Time and space converge today in a true relationship of friendship. It is no coincidence that the presentation of this portrait by Ángel Gómez Montoro takes place precisely here at the Museum, and in celebration of its tenth anniversary. In these ten years we have witnessed how the relationship between these two people has grown, a former President and now president of the board of trustees of the Museum; and an artist who, since his appointment as 'honoris causa' by the University, is now a professor of our faculty. This relationship between the two is a thread of friendship and commitment that we hope will continue to bear fruit," said the president of the University of Navarra, María Iraburu, during the presentation of the work to the academic community of the center.

"That Antonio López has accepted to portray me is a privilege that I can only be grateful for and that is explained by his friendship and generosity. The same generosity that led him to teach, along with Juan José Aquerreta, a workshop at the University for almost fifteen years and to have frequent meetings with students, professors and citizens of Pamplona. I am pleased that, in this way, this link with the University will also be strengthened," added Ángel Gómez Montoro, currently president of the board of trustees the University of Navarra Museum. 

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The work of Antonio López stands out for its researcher sense of reality and is considered the father of the hyperrealist school of Madrid. He has been working on this painting for eleven years, with the detail that characterizes him. It is an oil painting on canvas measuring 130 x cm. 

Last December, Gómez Montoro went to the painter's home-studio to finally see his painting. sample of the complicity between the two is that the author asked him for a committee on where to sign his creation: "Here in clear, or here in black?" he asked, pointing to two areas of the oil painting with his brush. He signed it in the presence of the sitter, adding the dates of work, 2013-2024, while Angel told him "all's well that ends well". 

The ninth painting in Degrees living room

The portrait of Ángel Gómez Montoro will be the ninth painting to be placed in the University's Degrees Hall. The room is presided over by a painting of the first Chancellor of the University, St. Josemaría Escrivá (1952-1975), accompanied by those of the second and third Chancellors, Blessed Álvaro del Portillo and Javier Echevarría. Next to them are the portraits of the previous rectors. The portrait of Ismael Sánchez Bella, the first President, was painted by Pedro Bueno Villarejo around 1962. The portrait of José María Albareda (1902-1966) was painted by Luis Mosquera in 1966. The painting of Francisco Ponz, third President, is the work of Federico Laorga, the same author as that of St. Josemaría in 1979. That of Alfonso Nieto was signature César Muñoz Sola (1992); and that of Alejandro Llano, who died a few months ago, by Javier Riaño (1998). Finally, the portrait of José María Bastero was painted by Daniel Quintero in 2006. Jorge Abad is painting the portrait of Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, who succeeded Ángel José Gómez Montoro between 2012 and 2022. 

A close link with the University

The relationship between Antonio López and the University of Navarra dates back to 2006, when he began to teach the painting workshop "Masters of figuration". Such was the reception that the activity was organized fourteen more times, every June, until 2019. From the beginning, López wanted to teach the workshop together with the Navarrese painter Juan José Aquerreta, Prince of Viana Culture award 2003. In the 2010 and 2017 editions, the artists María Moreno and Isabel Quintanilla, who were part of the group of realists in Madrid, also joined the activity professor along with Julio López Hernández and his brother Francisco, Esperanza Parada and Amalia Avia. 

In total, more than 400 students participated in the workshop, some from Spain and others from countries such as France, Germany, Russia, Italy, England, India, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Japan and the United States. Many repeated year after year, which allowed the painter to forge a real school with his disciples.

In the future, the University and its Museum will continue to count on the presence and work of Antonio Lopez. The new artistic director of the MUN, Gabriel Pérez-Barreiro, is planning a group sample on realism, reality and the real, crucial themes in the art world about which Antonio López has much to say as a painter, teacher, professor, doctor and friend.