Artwork
Reverie—The Letter
Reverie—The Letter is an oil painting by Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
Overview
Reverie—The Letter is a painting created by Spanish artist Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta around 1890. Executed in oil paint, it is characteristic of the artist's work in genre painting and portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a contemplative woman in a domestic setting, absorbed in reading a letter. The scene is set in a cozy room with a piano, vase of flowers, and bookshelf, evoking a sense of quiet introspection.
Technique & Style
Madrazo's use of oil paint achieves a sense of depth and texture, with detailed rendering of the woman's dress and the piano, while the background is softer and more subdued, reflecting the artist's Realistic style with later influences from Rococo and Japanese art.
History & Provenance
The painting is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute, representing the work of Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta, a member of the prominent Madrazo family of Spanish artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (24 July 1841 – 15 September 1920) was a Spanish painter from the Madrazo family of artists who worked in the Realistic style, although his later work shows signs of Rococo and Japanese influence.
