Artwork
Cristóbal Martín de Herrera ministro de Ultramar
Cristóbal Martín de Herrera ministro de Ultramar is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Francisco Maura y Montaner. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1890, this oil on canvas by Francisco Maura y Montaner presents a formal portrait of a senior figure in a dark military uniform. The composition is set against a muted backdrop of a dark curtain and a faint window frame, focusing attention on the sitter’s decorated attire and solemn expression.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Cristóbal Martín de Herrera, identified by his medals and the blue‑and‑white sash of the Order of Charles III, indicating his high rank within the Spanish government or military. His posture, with a hand resting on a red‑and‑gold hat bearing a white plume, conveys authority and official duty.
Technique & Style
Mañura y Montaner employs a restrained palette, using chiaroscuro to model the figure against the plain background. Precise brushwork renders the texture of the uniform, medals, and sash, while the soft handling of the curtain suggests depth without distracting from the central likeness.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has been part of the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century Spanish portraiture.
Context
The work reflects the late‑19th‑century Spanish tradition of official portraiture, where state honors such as the Order of Charles III were prominently displayed to affirm the sitter’s status within the imperial administration, particularly the Ministry of Overseas affairs.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco Maura y Montaner (1857–1931) was an artist, born in Palma.
