Luis Taberner y Montalvo

LUIS TABERNER Y MONTALVO (Madrid, 1844-1900).
"The dance of three cardinal virtues". Series Scenes from the Divine Comedy, 1895.
Twill painted in oil without preparation.
It shows wear on the border.
Signed and dated.
Measurements: 242 x 352 cm.
"The dance of three cardinal virtues", belonging to the series Scenes of the Divine Comedy and realized in 1895, reflects one of the most interesting and less known facets of the production of Luis Taberner; the allegorical and literary interpretation inspired by the universe of Dante Alighieri. In this work, Taberner combines symbolism, theatricality and a composition of great decorative elegance, in line with the fin-de-siècle sensibility of the late 19th century. The piece evidences the artist's interest in the idealized representation of female figures and moral allegories, integrating a visual language close to late academicism, but also open to symbolist influences that were beginning to penetrate European painting at the time. The dance and movement of the figures bring dynamism and spirituality to the composition, while the careful treatment of the details and the chromatic richness show Taberner's characteristic technical skill.
Known mainly for portraits such as those of Alfonso XII, Emilio Arrieta or Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, Luis Taberner developed in parallel an important decorative production, of which numerous sketches and studies are preserved. Works such as this one demonstrate his ability to go beyond the official portrait and explore a poetic and allegorical imaginary of great visual sophistication.