Who painted Josefa del Águila y Ceballos, later Marchioness of Espeja?

Josefa del Águila y Ceballos, later Marchioness of Espeja was painted by Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz in 1852.

Where can I see Josefa del Águila y Ceballos, later Marchioness of Espeja?

Josefa del Águila y Ceballos, later Marchioness of Espeja is held by Museo del Prado.

Artwork

Josefa del Águila y Ceballos, later Marchioness of Espeja

Josefa del Águila y Ceballos, later Marchioness of Espeja is an oil painting by Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz painted this oil portrait in 1852. The work shows Josefa del Águila y Ceballos, who later became the Marchioness of Espeja, and is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is presented standing before a plain wall and a red drapery, her dark hair framing a white dress adorned with lace and embroidery. A necklace and brooch complete her attire, while her hands are gently clasped, suggesting poise and decorum typical of aristocratic portraiture of the period.

Technique & Style

Madrazo employs a restrained palette, allowing the luminous white of the dress to dominate the composition. Fine brushwork renders the delicate lace and the subtle texture of the curtain, while the muted background recedes, emphasizing the figure’s three‑dimensional presence.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, the portrait entered the Spanish national collection and is now displayed at Madrid’s Museo del Prado, where it remains accessible to the public as an example of Madrazo’s courtly portraiture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz

Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz (1815–1894) was an artist, born in Spain.

Museum

Museo del Prado

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