Manuela Redondo de Bernal O’Reilly

Antonio María Esquivel was one of the leading Spanish romantic painters, and produced an impressive number of works across the range of different genres then in fashion. His oeuvre includes religious, mythological, historical, costumbrist and portrait painting. He was a prolific portrait painter, who adopted his formats to his clients' possibilities. Although his portrait of Manuela Redondo is more modest and repetitive than some of his other work, it is noticeable for its exquisite workmanship. The painter offers a faithful depiction of his melancholic model, but imbues her features with a certain purist idealisation, especially in the slightly oval face, tight mouth and slanted eyes. The work is a perfect example of his mastery of drawing and of the chromatic gravity which dominated much of his work.

Mikel Lertxundi Galiana

Inventory number: STM-000056-001