Miguel Parra Circle

Valencian School Circle of MIGUEL PARRA (Valencia, 1780 - Madrid, 1846); XIX century.
"Still life".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower right area.
Measurements: 93 x 164 cm: 107 x 177 cm (frame).
Landscape still life resolved with a naturalistic language, where the artist arranges a multitude of elements that define his technical skill and compositional mastery. The scene takes place in an open landscape that enhances the exuberance of the image. The artist shows his virtuosity by adding a great profusion of elements among which the dog stands out, bringing liveliness to and elevating the genre of the most traditional still life. In addition, this still life has numerous varieties of food such as fish, pomegranates, hares and bottles of champagne, which is unusual in this type of representation. The work shows a perfect mastery of the qualities that are reflected.
Aesthetically the work can be inscribed in the circle of Miguel Parra, who was formed in the School of Fine Arts of San Carlos de Valencia, having as teachers Benito Espinós and Vicente López, who would become his brother-in-law. Author of vases, still lifes and notable portraitist, he also tackled landscape, ornaments and large religious compositions, such as the paintings that decorate the doors of the Reliquary of the Cathedral of Valencia. His work was continued by his son, José Felipe Parra, and by his grandson, named after him. His progress in oil, tempera and fresco painting earned him a good reputation in artistic circles from a very young age, winning several prizes in the general competitions of the Academy of San Carlos (1795, 1798 and 1801). In fact, he was appointed professor of the School of Fine Arts of San Carlos, and chamber painter of King Ferdinand VII and Queen Isabella II. Painter of success and honors, academic of San Carlos and San Fernando, Parra was also in charge of forming the Provincial Museum of Valencia, where a good part of his work can be found. In 1818 Parra painted the "Triumphal Entry of Ferdinand VII in Zaragoza", which is currently preserved in the Royal Palace of Madrid, a painting that is a good example of the type of art dedicated to the political propaganda of the time, as well as representing a highly significant and almost unknown part of the production of the Valencian artist. Parra is currently represented in the Museo del Prado and the Museo de Bellas Artes San Pío V in Valencia, among others, as well as in important private collections.