On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P04405
- Author
- López Portaña, Vicente (Spanish)
- Title
- Félix Antonio Máximo López, First Organist of the Royal Chapel
- Chronology
- 1820
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 100 cm x 75 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- MUSEO ARTE MODERNO
- Procedence
- Adquisición, 1879 - Museo de Arte Moderno
This portrait of Félix Antonio
Máximo Portaña (1742 - 1821), the
first organist of the Royal Chapel
and a notable musician and
composer, was commissioned by his
eldest son, Ambrosio López.
A formal work that emphasizes the
sitter's category through a series
of details, especially the red and
blue uniform of his job at the
palace, the braid on the cuffs of
his dress coat that indicate his
status in the Royal Household, and
the orchestra director's baton he
bears on his right arm.
The affected and polished technique
employed here is characteristic of
López and is complemented by the
lighting. Rather than being
frontal, as was customary, it comes
from above, giving the sitter a
romantic, melancholy and spiritual
air.
Unlike what customarily happened in
works by other painters, the score
the organist holds is perfectly
recognizable here. It bears the
first new chords of a piece called
“Obra de los locos/Primera
parte/All[egr]o Mo[dera]to”.
This work was purchased from Pablo
Bosch for the Prado Museum by Royal
Order of 20 June 1879.
Location on the map
