Ángel Atienza

2.1. Early Life and Background

Ángel Atienza Landeta was born on 16 March 1931, in the Spanish capital of Madrid. From his early years, Atienza demonstrated an interest in both athletic pursuits and artistic endeavors, laying the groundwork for his unique dual career.

2.2. Early Professional Engagement

Atienza began his professional career in football, playing for clubs such as Real Zaragoza and Real Madrid. Even during his time as a professional footballer, Atienza maintained strong ties with the artistic world, participating in group exhibitions and dedicating his spare time to his developing artistic interests. This early engagement in art, simultaneous with his athletic career, foreshadowed his eventual full dedication to the arts. He played for Real Zaragoza before joining Real Madrid.

3.1. Football Career

Atienza played as a defender during his professional football career. He notably represented Real Zaragoza and Real Madrid. With Real Madrid, he achieved significant success, winning the La Liga title three times in the 1954-55, 1956-57, and 1957-58 seasons. His achievements extended to European competitions, where he was part of the Real Madrid squad that won the European Cup five times: in 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960. He retired from professional football on 1 July 1960.

3.2. Art Career

Atienza's artistic journey evolved significantly over time. While still a footballer, he engaged in group exhibitions and fostered connections within the art community. A pivotal moment occurred in 1958 during a journey through Central Europe, where he discovered the artistic potential of colored glass fitted into concrete. This discovery inspired him to pursue art more seriously.

Following his retirement from football, Atienza collaborated with other artists and began creating large-scale works, primarily focusing on mosaic murals and stained glass pieces. In 1964, he expanded his artistic repertoire to include ceramic murals. His inaugural ceramic mural was created for the Carlton Rioja Hotel in Logroño, Spain.

In 1976, Atienza relocated to Venezuela, a move that further influenced his artistic expression. During his time there, he started incorporating new materials into his mural work, including iron, bronze, aluminium, and copper, which allowed for greater textural and structural complexity. He actively participated in various architectural projects, striving to achieve a harmonious integration between his artworks and their surrounding built environments. After a productive period in Venezuela, he returned to Spain in 2001, where he continued to work on paintings and actively participated in exhibitions and showrooms, further solidifying his position in the art world.

5.1. Football Honours

Atienza earned the following team trophies as a professional footballer with Real Madrid:

• La Liga: 1954-55, 1956-57, 1957-58
• European Cup: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960

5.2. Art Awards

His contributions to the arts were recognized with several distinctions:

• Savings Bank of Málaga national prize (awarded in Málaga, Spain)
• Honorary plaque of San Juan Bosco Church (received in Los Teques, Venezuela)
• Juan Fernandez of Leon Distinction (awarded in Guanare, Venezuela)

8.1. Critical Reception

While specific critical reviews of Atienza's art are not widely detailed, the breadth of his exhibitions across major European and American cities, coupled with the national and honorary awards he received, strongly indicates that his work was well-received within the art community and by the public. His ability to transition from a highly physical profession to a deeply creative one was itself a testament to his talent and adaptability, earning him significant recognition in both fields. His innovative approach to materials in his murals, particularly his integration of diverse metals and glass with concrete, marked him as a progressive artist in his time.

8.2. Overall Legacy

Atienza's lasting impact lies primarily in his extraordinary dual legacy. As a footballer, he was a key member of a legendary Real Madrid team that dominated European club football, winning multiple La Liga titles and the historic first five European Cups. As an artist, he developed a distinctive style, particularly in mural and stained glass work, incorporating diverse materials and demonstrating a commitment to integrating art with architecture. His life story serves as a powerful example of how one can excel in multiple, seemingly disparate disciplines, leaving a significant mark on both the sporting and artistic landscapes.