LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Luis Torras Martínez. He was born in Vigo, Galicia, Spain on 29 December 1912, and passed away on 14 January 2024, at the age of 111 years, 16 days. Torras Martínez had recently lost his wife, María Jesús Incera, a few months ago, which was a major blow to his morale. He was Spain’s oldest man and the oldest painter in the world.
Torras Martínez received his early education at the College of the Marist Brothers before joining the family cherry business. He honed his artistic skills at a Vigo academy and later pursued formal training at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. However, his studies were interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, during which he served in the army and sustained significant injuries that left him deaf. Following the war, he returned to Madrid, earned his drawing teacher qualification, and eventually taught at institutions in both Madrid and Vigo.
Luis Torras Martinez and his wife in a photo taken in 2023.
(Source: https://www.farodevigo.es/sociedad/2024/01/15/muere-111-anos-pintor-vigues-96936895.html)
Despite being well into his 100s, Torras Martínez remained creatively engaged until very recently. He painted and kept exploring new ideas. As he said in a recent interview, “You always learn something new; I’m always researching.” He had been married since 1946 to his wife, who had been his muse in numerous paintings. While he continued to paint, he shifted focus, gifting his future works to the Vigo City Council to enrich their collection.
LongeviQuest is extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Mr. Luis Torras Martínez.
