The Spanish Royal Mint has released, with the caption "European Heritage", the 9th set of coins in the Europa Program Series entitled "Painters and Sculptors". On this occasion the coins are dedicated to the Spanish painter and master of cubism, Juan Gris.

Juan Gris, whose given name was José Victoriano González Pérez, was born in Madrid on March 23, 1887. He would die in France 40 years later on May 11, 1927.

He studied at the Escuela de Artes y Oficios (the Arts and Trades School) in Madrid, then departed in 1906 to take up residence in Paris where he became familiar with artists of the standing of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

His endeavors were carried out for the most part in Paris where in 1919 he held his first solo exhibition. His cubist works date from 1912, the year in which he exhibited in the Salon de los Independientes in Barcelona.

Other Europa Program releases: (2004) (2005) (2006) (2007) (2008) (2009) (2010) (2011).

BOE: Orden ministerial (EHA/3585/2011)

The obverse portrays the likeness of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I.

The reverse reproduces the oil painting La table du musicien (The musician's table), painted by Juan Gris. This painting forms part of the holdings of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (the Queen Sophia National Museum Art Center) in Madrid.