Andrés de Santa María was a Colombian painter and pioneer of Impressionism in Colombia. Born in Bogotá into a wealthy family, he dedicated himself to painting after his father's death. He studied in Paris, where he gained recognition for his Impressionist works and won prizes at the Salons. Despite facing controversy in Colombia for breaking with academic traditions, Santa María became a professor at the Bogotá Academy of Fine Arts and later its director. He eventually resigned due to criticism and returned to Europe, living in Brussels, Paris, and other cities, where he continued to paint and exhibit his work until his death. Santa María's artistic legacy includes three distinct periods, showcasing a range from Impressionism to thicker, mo...