Por las víctimas del mar, For the victims of the sea, is one of Valentín de Zubiaurre’s most outstanding works. The artist draws the coastal town of Ondarroa, a recurrent place in his work, and through human figures full of expressiveness captures the solemnity and pain of the community in the face of the loss of lives at sea, creating a somber atmosphere that highlights the tragedy and solidarity of the people.

Valentín de Zubiaurre (Madrid 1879-Madrid 1963), painter and draftsman, was known for his costumbrista painting focused on popular and traditional Basque themes. Although he was born in Madrid, his Biscayan origin was crucial for the configuration of his art and style. The son of a well-known Biscayan composer and organist, like his brother Ramón, also a painter, he was deaf. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando and completed his training with trips to France, Italy and the Netherlands, where he was influenced by modernism. Throughout his career, Zubiaurre exhibited in numerous galleries and received several awards, establishing himself as a leading figure in the Spanish art scene of the twentieth century.