José Roberto Torrent Prats is one of the most recognized painters in the Balearic Islands art world bringing strength of color and humanity to his subjects, having experimented with different styles from Impressionism to Expressionism.

Torrent was born in Ciutadella, Menorca, in 1904 and began to dedicate himself seriously to painting at the age of 44 years old.    He worked in diverse areas; shoe maker, inventor, graphic humorist, drawing teacher at the municipal school as well as being head of his family.  His first paintings were categorized as impressionism.   His landscapes are usually populated with people.   From the beginning his paintings are infused with feeling and emotion.   In the beginning he used a palette of dark and brown tones, atmospheric and beautifully executed.  Later, after spending time in Paris, his colors become brighter and stronger, braver, bordering on the expressiveness of Fauvism.

In the 1960s he had success in a dozen painting competitions, including the Ciudad de Palma, Barcelona and Menorca.   Here he obtained recognition as the most eminent menorcan painter.   After his death he was nominated as the Illustrious Son of his city, with a street and school named after him.   His painting had become singular and powerful, featuring a long brushstroke, thick paint and fine detail, abandoning the chiaroscuro and shadows to create depth.   Torrent reinterprets the landscape with freedom and expression.   It is narrative painting, where things happen; stories are told of humble people and hard country.

In the last stage of his life people gain still greater importance in his paintings and he depicts family relationships in street scenes or in landscapes.   It is expressionist painting, with a deep existential feeling, embracing human and Christian values.

Torrent died in 1990 and left an important legacy of paintings that was collected by the Associació d’Amics des Pintor Torrent and exhibited in a personal museum in his beloved Ciutadella.

JUAN ELORDUY