Rafael Romero Barros (30 May 1832, Moguer - 2 December 1895, Córdoba) was a Spanish painter who often worked in the Costumbrismo style.

At the age of twelve, he began to study at the "Universidad Literaria de Sevilla", where he showed some talent as a writer, producing works on art and literature.

He also organized and directed the "Museo Arqueológico y Etnológico de Córdoba [es]" and remained active as an author, contributing prolifically to the local newspapers and magazines.

In addition to his cultural work, he was a lifetime member of the "Asociación de Obreros Cordobeses", a labor union, where he served as secretary.

He was especially concerned about works of Arab and Jewish origin, which were being ignored or vandalized, so he formed an alliance with Father Fidel Fita, a distinguished historical scholar who helped him with transcriptions.