Artwork
The Attention (Self-portrait)
The Attention (Self-portrait) is an oil painting by Maria del Rosario Weiss. It dates from 1841 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. Created in 1841, this oil on canvas is a self‑portrait by Spanish painter and engraver María del Rosario Weiss Zorrilla.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1841, this oil on canvas is a self‑portrait by Spanish painter and engraver María del Rosario Weiss Zorrilla. The work presents the artist herself, dressed in a white gown with a gold strap across her right shoulder, set against a muted brown backdrop. Her gaze meets the viewer directly, while her hands gesture—one touching her hair, the other extending toward the left.
Subject & Meaning
Weiss portrays herself with a calm, introspective expression, emphasizing both her status as a professional artist and her personal identity. The white dress and gold accent may signal refinement, while the modest pose and direct eye contact suggest confidence and engagement with the viewer, inviting contemplation of the artist’s role in a male‑dominated artistic sphere.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting demonstrates a smooth handling of flesh tones and a subtle modeling of light on the fabric. The dark brown background isolates the figure, allowing the delicate rendering of hair and the luminous white dress to dominate. The brushwork is restrained, reflecting the academic portrait conventions of early‑19th‑century Spain.
History & Provenance
The portrait entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving works by women artists of the period, and it stands as one of the few surviving self‑representations by Weiss, whose oeuvre largely consists of commissioned portraits.
Context
Weiss was the goddaughter of Francisco Goya and lived with him during his final years, an environment that shaped her artistic development. Though primarily known for portraiture of patrons, this self‑portrait reveals her personal engagement with the medium and offers insight into the network of female artists operating within the Spanish academy of the early 1800s.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Maria del Rosario Weiss Zorrilla (2 October 1814 – 31 July 1843) was a Spanish painter and engraver best known for portraits.
