Spanish or Novo-Hispanic school; second third of the 19th century.

Spanish or novo-Hispanic school; second third of the XIX century.
"Pair of children's portraits".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
It has a Carlos IV style frame.
Measurements: 64.5 x 48 cm 8x29; 79 x 61 cm (frames, x2).
During the 19th century, the infantile portrait acquired a remarkable relevance in the artistic as well as in the social sphere. This type of representation, beyond its aesthetic function, reflected profound cultural, social and emotional transformations surrounding childhood.
In previous centuries, children were usually portrayed as small adults, with no clear differentiation as to their identity or stage of development. However, with the advance of Enlightenment thinking and the emergence of new ideas about childhood-driven by thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau-a view of childhood as a unique and valuable stage of life began to consolidate. This perspective translated into greater attention to child portraiture, which sought to capture not only the physical appearance, but also the innocence, gentleness and personality of the child portrayed.
In addition, in the upper classes and aristocracy, the child portrait represented a status symbol. Commissioning a portrait from a renowned painter was a sign of the economic and social power of the family. Through the clothing, toys or settings depicted, these portraits also communicated values, expectations and roles assigned to children within their environment.

During the Spanish colonial domination, in the colonies, a mainly religious painting was developed, aimed at Christianizing the indigenous peoples. Local painters were modeled on Spanish works, which they followed literally in terms of aesthetics, types and iconography. The most frequent models were the harquebusier angels and the triangular virgins, however, in the early years of the 19th century, already in times of independence and political opening of some of the colonies, several artists began to represent a new model of painting with its own identity.