On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P04646
- Author
- Sorolla y Bastida, Joaquín (Spanish)
- Title
- Aureliano de Beruete, Father
- Chronology
- 1902
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 115,5 cm x 110,5 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- MUSEO ARTE MODERNO
- Procedence
- Museum of Modern Art
Sorolla made portraits of the
painter, Aureliano de Beruete, on
several occasions. He genuinely
admired this artist of the
generation previous to his own and
the were very good friends. Beruete
sits in an armchair with great
naturalness and the image recalls a
snapshot: he has just arrived, he
coat rests on the back of the char
and he hasn't even removed his
gloves yet. He still holds his hat
in his hand. Beruete's seated
position, turned almost in profile,
is customary in many of Sorolla's
portraits.
Notwithstanding the modernity of
this work, aspects such as the dark
overall tonality coincide with the
characteristics of traditional
Spanish portraiture.
In 1904, this work was seen by
Archer Milton Huntington, who
discovered Sorolla and founded the
Hispanic Society of America. He
requested it for his Gallery of
Illustrious Men. When consulted,
however, Beruete refused to cede
the painting, and Sorolla had to
paint another one for his great
American patron.
The present work is paired with a
portrait of Beruete's wife (P4655),
and was kept by her until it was
donated to the Museum of Modern Art
in 1922.
Location on the map
