For millions of Spaniards, the name José María Cano is inseparable from the legendary band Mecano, a symbol of the 1980s music scene. However, after the group went on indefinite hiatus in 1992, one of its founders all but vanished from the spotlight. He didn’t just leave the stage — he completely reinvented himself, transforming from a pop idol into one of today’s most sought-after contemporary artists. His life is now shrouded in mystery and unfolds far from the public eye.
Today, Cano is first and foremost an artist, working under the pseudonym Cano de Andrés. His journey into art began after a turbulent and widely publicized divorce from model Marta Gómez in 2002, which became a media spectacle due to the battle for custody of their son Dani. Perhaps this personal crisis was the catalyst for his creative transformation. Cano embraced the challenging and ancient technique of encaustic painting — creating art with wax-based pigments. His works tackle provocative themes, from human rights to the cynical realities of high finance. One of his most well-known series is “The Wall Street 100,” featuring large-scale portraits of global power brokers.
Commercial success soon followed. Cano’s paintings now fetch staggering prices at prestigious auctions. For instance, one of his works sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong for nearly €356,000, solidifying his reputation in the world of fine art. What began as an ex-pop star’s hobby has become a thriving business and earned him international acclaim.
The artist’s luxurious lifestyle matches his income. Cano owns an impressive collection of properties across Europe. His residences are not just expensive apartments, but true historical palaces. These include the famous mansion in London, which allegedly inspired the creation of ‘Peter Pan,’ the majestic San Vicente de Fora Palace in Lisbon, and another estate in Malta. However, he still considers his main base to be his home in the prestigious Madrid suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón. Music seems to be a thing of the distant past, although in 2000 he released a solo album dedicated to his son, a rare reminder of his musical talent.
