Artwork

Enrique Simonet y Baca, the artist’s father

Enrique Simonet y Baca, the artist’s father, by Enrique Simonet, oil, 1897
Enrique Simonet y Baca, the artist’s father, by Enrique Simonet, oil, 1897

Enrique Simonet y Baca, the artist’s father is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Enrique Simonet. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Enrique Simonet’s 1897 oil portrait, titled *Enrique Simonet y Baca, the artist’s father*, is part of the collection at Madrid’s Museo del Prado. The work presents a middle‑aged gentleman seated in a dark suit, his hands folded before him, against a muted brown backdrop. The composition is restrained, focusing attention on the sitter’s solemn demeanor.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is the painter’s own father, rendered with a serious expression and direct gaze that engages the viewer. His neatly combed dark hair, moustache, and formal attire suggest a dignified, perhaps patriarchal presence, inviting contemplation of familial respect and the personal bond between artist and subject.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the portrait employs chiaroscuro to model the face, creating a subtle contrast between illuminated features and the surrounding shadows. The limited palette of blacks, whites, and brown tones enhances the three‑dimensionality of the sitter, while the smooth brushwork yields a refined, almost tactile surface.

History & Provenance

Simonet completed the painting in 1897, shortly after establishing his reputation in Spain. It entered the Museo del Prado’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it remains on display as a representative example of the artist’s portraiture and his personal connections to his family.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Enrique Simonet

Artist

Enrique Simonet

Enrique Simonet (1866–1927) was an artist, born in Valencia.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.