Spanish school of Carlos IV period, ca.1800.

Spanish school of Carlos IV period, ca.1800.
"Portrait of a gentleman.
Oil on canvas.
Relined.
Presents some restorations and Repainting.
Measurements: 72 x 55 cm; 94 x 75 cm (frame).

This painting presents a portrait of a gentleman who embodies the sobriety, dignity and elegance typical of the neoclassical portrait of the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century.

The character, with a serene demeanor and introspective gaze, appears slightly turned, which naturally integrates the torso into the frame. His clothing, carefully detailed, responds to the characteristic style of the nobility or the enlightened high bourgeoisie of the time: a dark jacket that contrasts with the light vest with starched lapels, decorated with floral motifs, and a silk scarf tied around his neck, all framed by a dim lighting that delicately highlights his face and hands, leaving the background in semi-darkness.

The gentleman's face, with a melancholic but firm expression, reveals a rich inner life, typical of a cultured man, aware of his position. The brushstroke, sober but sure, together with the restrained palette, sought to balance the baroque heritage with the enlightened ideals of rationality, restraint and nobility of spirit.