Christ Carrying the Cross
1866.Room 062
Teresa Nicolau presented this miniature based on Sebastiano del Piombo’s painting from the Museo del Prado (P00345) at the National Exhibition of 1867 along with three others: a Mary Magdalene copied from Titian, a Sibyl based on another by Domenichino and a Virgin of Sassoferrato. She was awarded a first-class honorary mention for the group. At the Academy’s suggestion, she chose this Christ Bearing the Cross to be part of the then Museo Nacional’s collection, and it was acquired by the State for 500 pesetas.
In the mid 19th century, miniature portraits rivaled photographic portraits, which eventually outstripped them. As a result, many miniaturists, like Cecilio Corro, turned to the newer medium. Others left portraiture in second place and focused, instead, on cabinet miniatures that copied the most outstanding works of great masters of the past. This was the path followed by Teresa Nicolau, Adriana Rostán (doc. 1840-1889), José Delgado y Meneses (1764-1855) and Manuel Arbós (1806-1875), among others.
Teresa Nicolau had learned to paint both oils and miniatures from Vicente López, and their growing friendship led López to paint her portrait (P3304) around 1835.
Espinosa Martín, Carmen, Las miniaturas en el Museo del Prado: catálogo razonado, Museo Nacional del Prado, 2011, p.76-77
