On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P07791
- Author
- Sorolla y Bastida, Joaquín (Spanish)
- Title
- María Figuero, the girl, dressed as a Menina
- Chronology
- 1901
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 151,5 cm x 121 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COMPRA
- Procedence
- Acquisition, 2001
A full-length portrait of
nine-year-old María Figueroa, the
daughter of Rodrigo Figueroa y
Torres, Duke of Tovar and friend of
the artist. She appears here
dressed like a seventeenth-century
menina.
The mark of Velasquez is visible
not only in the subject matter but
also in the Sorolla's palette based
on reds, ochres, whites and
silvers, which is thus quite
similar to that used by Velasquez
in his finest female portraits. The
rendering of the image, however, is
absolutely modern and unusual for
the period, with free and highly
plastic brushstrokes that sometimes
leave the canvas's priming
uncovered and visible to the eye,
due to the abundant use of solvent
in the brush.
This work remained in private hands
from the time it was painted until
its entry into the Prado Museum. It
is a singular example of the
Valencian painter's understanding
of traditional Spanish painting,
through the works of Velasquez
which he came to known at the Prado
Museum.
Location on the map
