The roadstead of Alicante
1881. Oil on canvas.On display elsewhere
Valencian painters of the late 19th century, still subject to the strictest realism and inspired by identification with the regional geography, emerged as undisputed experts in the painting of seascapes and port views. Rafael Monleón y Torres was the greatest exponent of this variety of landscapes. He was disciple of Haes and trained at the Brussels landscape school. From his youth he devoted himself almost exclusively to painting ships, generally moored in Levantine ports. In addition to other seascapes set in northern Spain, such as Puerto de Laredo (P006012), his undisputed skill in this genre can be seen in works such as this one, The roadstead of Alicante. This is undoubtedly the most ambitious painting by him in the Museo del Prado, conceived as a large panoramic view with a highly decorative effect, which was awarded a third medal at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1881. His true passion for ships linked his artistic career to the navy, and he became a painter and curator of the Museo Naval in Madrid.
Museo Nacional del Prado, Maestros de la pintura valenciana: del siglo XIX en el Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional del Prado Autoridad Portuaria, 1997, p.74-75
