Spanish School, XIX century.

Spanish School, XIX century.
Attributed to ANTONIO MARÍA ESQUIVEL SUAREZ DE URBINA (Seville, 1806 - Madrid, 1857).
"Portrait of a lady.
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 116 x 90 cm; 136 x 110 cm (frame).

The lady wears a magnificent silk dress in peacock blue, with a voluminous skirt characteristic of the 1850s. The delicate lace tablecloth over her shoulders shows the meticulous brushwork for which Esquivel was known, masterfully capturing the transparency and texture of the fabric. She wears a multi-strand pearl choker with a gold pendant. Her left wrist features a bracelet with a miniature portrait, a sentimental piece of jewelry common in the period, probably representing her husband or a close relative. She holds a closed fan, an indispensable accessory of Spanish high society, which often had its own "language" at social events. The figure is set in a classical interior with heavy red drapery and a golden candelabra. This "theatrical" background serves to enhance the figure, emphasizing her presence and the luminosity of her skin.

This 19th century portrait is an exceptional example of the Spanish Romantic school, attributed to the renowned Sevillian painter Antonio María Esquivel. Esquivel was a central figure in the art of the mid-19th century, serving as chamber painter to Queen Isabella II, and noted for his ability to combine technical precision with the emotional softness of his time.