He was born in Barcelona into a textile industrialists' family from Manlleu, where they owned the Rusiñol textile mill town, known as Can Ramissa. His father was Joan Rusiñol i Andreu and his mother, from Barcelona, Amàlia Prats i Caravent. Santiago Rusiñol appeared in his registration in the civil registry with the names of Jaume -James- (not Santiago), Jacint, Lluís and baptized in the church of Sant Cugat del Rec close to Barcelona. Although he inherited the family business, his interest in painting art began to take shape during his adolescence. On June 19, 1886, he married Lluïsa Denís i Reverter. In this marriage registry at the Civil Registry of Barcelona, Rusiñol reappears with the name of Jaume. The following year, his daughter, Maria Agustina, was born, but a few months later, his restless nature, lack of interest in the family business, and desire to paint, travel, and discover the world took him away from his own family. Santiago handed over the company's management to his brother Albert. Albert became a well-known businessman and politician, deputy and senator. From the moment he gives the factory's control to this brother, Santiago began to travel through Catalonia and Spain, France and Italy. Travel will be a constant in the life of the artist.