On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P03051
- Author
- Madrazo y Garreta, Raimundo de (Spanish)
- Title
- The Actress María Guerrero as `Doña Inés'
- Chronology
- Ca. 1891
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 115,5 cm x 74 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- MUSEO ARTE MODERNO
- Procedence
- Museum of Modern Art
A portrait of the actress, María
Guerrero (1868-1928), at the age of
23. She is portrayed in the role of
“doña Inés,” from the play, Don
Juan Tenorio, by José Zorrilla
(1871-1893). The work, premiered in
1844, was one of its author's
greatest achievements; a
reinterpretation in the Romantic
style of the myth of Don Juan
created by Tirso de Molina
(1571-1648).
María Guerrero, dressed in the
habit of the Calatrava nuns,
interprets the moment in which doña
Inés, who has withdrawn to a
convent, receives a love letter
from Don Juan, hidden in the pages
of a book.
This painting is an excellent
example of Raimundo de Madrazo's
great skill for portraiture, a
genre that occupied much of his
career. The expressivity of the
actress' gesture, her sweet
expression, and the luminosity of
her habit contrast with a neutral
background that is merely hinted at
by a few quick patches of
color.
This work was donated to the
now-defunct Museum of Modern Art in
1933 by Fernando Díaz de Mendoza.
Location on the map
