Communication for the purpose of cultural promotion of artists included in the María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation Collection protected by intellectual property rights. Reproduction, in whole or in part, or processing by any means, or transmission or transfer in any form, without the authorisation of the owner of the rights to the works, is prohibited.
Portrait of a Gentleman
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Author: José de Madrazo (Santander, 1781 – Madrid, 1859)
Title: Portrait of a Gentleman
Year: About 1828
Technique: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 71 x 56 cm
This portrait of an unknown gentleman is a fine example of José de Madrazo’s mature period. It has recently been suggested that the subject is a young Juan Bravo Murillo, represented in this collection as an older man through a magnificent portrait by Federico de Madrazo, dated 1849.
Middle-aged, with a broad face, prominent nose and rosy cheeks, the half-length figure is depicted against a background of clouds in delicate grey hues that bring out to great effect his elegant black suit and white shirt and tie. As José Luis Díez has pointed out, the cold palette, the painstaking execution of the silky hair, represented with great delicacy, the skin tones, and the way in which the gleaming nose and the outline of lips have been rendered, are just some of the hallmarks of the artist present in the work.
The Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson acquired the painting at Segre, at the auction of 24 May 2022.