By the 1920s Marcelo T. de Alvear and his wife were very fond of Quinquela Martín's works, and this admiration led to a lasting friendship. In 1922, Quinquela Martín was assigned as chancellor of the Argentine Madrid Consulate in Spain. In April 1923 he exhibited at the Círculo de Bellas Artes of Madrid. Two of his works were acquired by the institution ("Buque en reparación" and "Efecto de Sol"), while another two were acquired by the Museum of Modern Art of Madrid.