Artwork
Josefa Manzanedo e Intentas de Mitjans, Second Marchioness of Manzanedo
Josefa Manzanedo e Intentas de Mitjans, Second Marchioness of Manzanedo is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Jean Louis Ernest Meissonier completed this oil painting, titled *Josefa Manzanedo e Intentas de Mitjans, Second Marchioness of Manzanedo*, in 1872. The artwork is a formal portrait of the Marchioness, rendered with meticulous detail. It is currently part of the collection at the Museo del Prado, offering insight into aristocratic representation during the late 19th century.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Josefa Manzanedo e Intentas de Mitjans seated in a lavish interior, dressed in a voluminous white gown adorned with lace and blue ribbons.
The portrait depicts Josefa Manzanedo e Intentas de Mitjans seated in a lavish interior, dressed in a voluminous white gown adorned with lace and blue ribbons. Her composed posture and the inclusion of objects such as a book, a gemstone, and a glove suggest her refined status and cultivated interests. The opulent setting, featuring a red chair, patterned curtains, and a floral arrangement, reinforces her elevated social standing.
Technique & Style
Meissonier utilized oil paint with a distinct application of *impasto*, particularly noticeable in the Marchioness's elaborate dress. This technique involves laying paint on thickly, creating a textured surface where brushstrokes are visibly raised. This approach enhances the tactile quality of the fabric, lending a sense of depth and material richness to her attire and contributing to the overall realism of the portrait.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier was a French academic painter and sculptor. He became famous for his depictions of Napoleon and his military sieges and manoeuvres in paintings acclaimed both for the artist's mastery of…
