General Espartero

This magnificent watercolour is a life drawing of General Baldomero Espartero, who played a key role in the Spanish political and military life during the late 19th century. Casado del Alisal captures with considerable accuracy the General’s striking facial features and his energetic nature which he was known for. In addition to being a national hero due to his military achievements, Espartero became the top political representative of progressive tendencies, in the name of which he took office on several occasions. Although he had to go into exile in London between 1843 and 1848, he was still offered the Regency another time in 1870, which he refused from his retreat in Logroño. Casado went there in 1872 to complete this sketch for a portrait of Espartero commissioned by the Congress of Deputies. The portrait was accepted by the Congress on 22 December, while Casado made a gift of the watercolour to Espartero’s wife, Jacinta Martínez de Sicilia, Princess of Vergara, as states the inscription ‘A la Srma. Señora Princesa de Vergara. Casado.’ .