On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P07041
- Author
- López Portaña, Vicente (Spanish)
- Title
- María Francisca de la Gándara y Cardona, Countess widow of Calderón
- Chronology
- 1846
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 128 cm x 98 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COMPRA
- Procedence
- Acquisition, 1985
Born in 1786 in New Spain, María
Francisca de la Gándara y Cardona
was the widow of General Fñelix
María Calleja del Rey, the last
Spanish Viceroy of Mexico. She died
in Valencia in 1855.
She sits across from the viewer and
looks directly at him. In her right
hand she holds a breviary, marking
the page where she intends to
continue her interrupted reading.
Her left hand holds a lace
handkerchief, which is traditional
in female portraits. The marked
representation of these objects is
the artist's way of emphasizing the
lady's piety and high social
standing.
The qualities of the objects,
especially the lace on her head,
the subtle variations of the white
in her handkerchief, and the varied
purples of her silk dress are
examples of Vicente López's
virtuoso technique.
Location on the map
