Spanish school of the late eighteenth century.

Spanish school of the late eighteenth century.
"Young man with rabbit".
Oil on canvas.
Relined.
Measurements: 101 x 2 cm, 120 x 90 cm (frame).

The present work represents a young peasant in a relaxed attitude, holding a rabbit while offering food, in a scene of marked costumbrista character. The figure is placed in the foreground, set against a neutral and atmospheric background that concentrates the attention on the character and reinforces the intimacy of the scene. The naturalistic treatment of the face, as well as the serene expression of the young man, contribute to endow the composition with a remarkable human and close charge.

The painting is part of the tradition of the genre of costumbrista and popular scenes that had a remarkable development in Spain in the late eighteenth century, in a context marked by the transition between the late Baroque and the new enlightened sensibilities. These representations, far from the great historical or religious themes, emphasize daily life and popular types, treated with dignity and sensitivity.

From the stylistic point of view, the work shows a loose and impastoed brushstroke, especially visible in the clothing and in the background, as well as a restrained use of color, dominated by earthy and ochre shades, with soft hallmarks of light and shadow. This pictorial language connects with the Spanish tradition of the 18th century, influenced by both Baroque naturalism and European trends that advocated a more direct, emotional and closer to the viewer painting. The work can be placed, therefore, within the scope of the Spanish school of the late eighteenth century, in line with the tastes and aesthetic concerns of the time.