Who painted Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena?

Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena was painted by José Nin y Tudó in 1889.

Where can I see Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena?

Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena?

Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena?

Museum-quality prints of Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena

José Nin y Tudó , 1889

Retrato mortuorio del periodista Pedro Avial Taracena is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist José Nin y Tudó. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1889, this oil painting by José Nin y Tudó portrays the deceased journalist Pedro Avial Taracena. Executed within the post‑impressionist period, the work belongs to the genre of portraiture that focuses on a single figure in a state of repose. It is part of the Prado Museum’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s recurring interest in commemorative, mortuary subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas shows Taracena lying on a bed, his head supported by a pillow and his eyes gently closed. Dressed in somber attire and a beard framing his face, he appears tranquil despite the surrounding darkness. A sheet of paper bearing leafy motifs rests on his chest, suggesting a personal or professional connection and reinforcing the quiet dignity of the scene.

Technique & Style

Nin y Tudó employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with illuminated areas to model the figure’s form and convey volume.

Nin y Tudó employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with illuminated areas to model the figure’s form and convey volume. The palette is dominated by muted, dark tones that enhance the solemn atmosphere, while subtle highlights on the pillow and paper introduce a restrained sense of depth. The brushwork reflects the post‑impressionist tendency toward expressive color modulation within a realistic framework.

History & Provenance

Born in 1843, José Nin y Tudó built a reputation for decorative commissions and a series of posthumous portraits of notable individuals. This particular work, completed shortly before the artist’s death in 1908, entered the Museo del Prado’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, where it remains displayed as part of the museum’s Spanish painting collection.