Sánchez the sailor

This painting is Federico de Madrazo's masterpiece within the speciality of male portraits. / The painter shows his polished drawing style, combined perfectly with the colour treatment, as we can see by the gradation of black, and in general dark tones. / The result is in keeping with the rest of the painter's work, which is the greatest exponent of academicist purism in Spanish Romantic painting, in which elegance stands out as one of the most characteristic features. / We know the name and origin (from Santander) of the commission, as well as the exact date of execution of the painting (1843) thanks to the inventories that Federico de Madrazo carried out of his works.