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UnknownOil on canvas Spanish “Portrait Toribio of Velasco and Viguri”1850
1850
$4,598.12
£3,366.74
€3,830
CA$6,243.56
A$6,998.98
CHF 3,649.81
MX$85,790.40
NOK 46,249.21
SEK 43,970.58
DKK 29,148.30
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About the Item
Outstanding oil on canvas portrait depicting a child, Toribio de Velasco y Viguri, whose name appears written in gold letters in the upper right corner against the dark background of the canvas, a very common practice in the 19th century. In fact, it is possible to date it specifically between 1830 and 1860, due to the use of the kepi-style hat (popular after the Napoleonic Wars) and the tendency to portray children with adult seriousness.
The child is shown seated, with a formal pose and a serious or even melancholic expression on his face. The elements depicted, such as his clothing, hat, and the book he is holding, indicate his high social status. His attire, a jacket and trousers ensemble with a white shirt and an orange bow around his neck, including the kepi-style hat, follows the mid-19th-century fashion, inspired by European-influenced children's school or military uniforms.
In his right hand, he holds what appears to be a book or notebook, which could suggest his education or intellectual interest. The background is composed of a diagonal drapery fabric in dark, reddish tones, which adds an element of depth and drama to the scene. The armchair where he sits has a green cushion with floral decoration, reinforcing the sitter's bourgeois or aristocratic character. The light reflects off the hat, illuminating his face.
Most striking is the child's expression, which conveys a complex mix of restrained emotions. Everything about his expression suggests that the boy has been trained to pose seriously, perhaps as a way of representing maturity or responsibility at a young age, something common in portraits of aristocratic or bourgeois families of the 19th century. Is he tired of posing? Is he simply obeying? Or does he feel profound sadness? This ambiguity in his expression is precisely what gives the portrait such a powerful psychological force.
Also notable is the exceptional gilt frame with carved floral decoration in the corners, in a classical style. It suggests that the painting was considered valuable and prominently displayed.
The subject, Toribio de Velasco y Viguri, who died in 1855, belonged to the Velasco family, famous in the region for their properties and artistic heritage. This painting comes from the Álava-Velasco Palace in Vitoria, which the family inherited.
About the Álava-Velasco Palace in Vitoria-Gasteiz
The Álava-Velasco Palace, located in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Álava), and also known as the Palace of the Marquises of Alameda, is a stately home whose main and rear facades face the Plaza de Santo Domingo and a fenced garden. It is an elegant and luxurious building with a rectangular floor plan, a ground floor, a basement, two floors, and a loft beneath the roof. The most notable feature is the main façade, which is horizontally compartmentalized by impost lines that divide the facade into three floors.
It was commissioned in the late 17th century by Francisco Carlos de Álava-Arista and later inherited by the Velasco family. Records confirm that the Velasco-Viguri family owned the palace until the mid-19th century.
Technical details
Support technique: Oil on canvas
Title of the work: “Portrait of Toribio de Velasco y Viguri”
Genre: Portrait
Period: 1830–1860
Country of origin: Spain
Provenance: Álava-Velasco Palace, Vitoria
Good condition commensurate with age and use
Overall dimensions: 96 x 81 x 4 cm
Unframed dimensions: 80 x 64 cm
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