"Art is born in the heart of man, it will change the form or the way, but it can never disappear". This is what Antonio Lopez said at the University Museum of Navarra during the colloquium that he held together with Juan Jose Aquerreta on "The painting as a commission or voluntary work ". The event, moderated by Jaume Aurell, historian and director of high school of business and Humanism, was attended by more than 600 people including students, professors, staff of the academic center and citizens of Pamplona.

Regarding the commissioned works, Antonio López pointed out that they have almost disappeared: "The great argument of the art of our time is to get to the bottom of yourself in a free way, without any interference". And he recalled that throughout his life he has only made 5 or 6 commissions. 

He also pointed out that all the art we admire in the West was commissioned until the 19th century. They were works that were in public places: temples, buildings or in the street: "There was a feeling that art was made for everyone. That's why commissions seemed to me an extraordinary privilege. Sculptures for the street, as was done in the old days, can only be made when they are commissioned".

"After Goya, the best portraits of the West belong to the 20th century."

Asked about the importance of knowing the person portrayed in depth, Antonio López made reference letter to the portrait of Pope Innocent painted by Velázquez: "When he painted him, he had never dealt with him before and, nevertheless, he made a truly impressive reading of his interior".

In his reflection on portraiture, the artist said that "after Goya, the best portraits that have been made in the West correspond to the 20th century, but they are always exceptional cases". Juan José Aquerreta added that portraiture has lost interest because in our society power relationships are more important than those of the self.

Regarding the relationship between the artist and the public for whom he paints, they stressed the idea that "the link between art and society can never disappear". In addition, Juan José Aquerreta explained that "the aspiration to serve someone and for something is relatively modern and it is a very heavy burden for the artist: you have to be normal and original at the same time". For his part, Antonio López said that "it is a matter of people needing the artist as they need the doctor".

50 years of the School of Architecture

The colloquium is part of the IX edition of the Painting Workshop Masters of Figuration, which Antonio López and Juan José Aquerreta are teaching from March 9 to 13 at the University of Navarra to some thirty students.

It was presented by the director of the School of Architecture José Ángel Medina, who thanked the artists for their time at the School during the previous eight years: "Your work has helped us to learn about the intricacies of Architecture and to project on it another look necessary for the development of our work".

He also invited them to the celebrations of the fifty years of the School's history, which will take place on April 25.