Artwork
Salomé (sketch)
Salomé (sketch) is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist Severo Rodríguez Etchart. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.
About this work
Overview
Severo Rodríguez Etchart’s sketch titled “Salomé,” executed around 1850, is part of the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. The work is a modestly sized oil sketch that captures a solitary female figure within an interior space, rendered with a restrained palette and focused lighting.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a woman standing in a dimly lit room, her posture confident as she rests a hand on her hip while holding a tray that bears a single red object. The contrast between the muted surroundings and the vivid red element suggests an emphasis on the figure’s presence and perhaps alludes to themes of allure or power associated with the name Salomé.
Technique & Style
Rodríguez Etchart employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using strong contrasts between light and shadow to give the scene depth. The dark background recedes, allowing the illuminated forms of the woman and the tray to dominate the visual field. The brushwork is loose, characteristic of a sketch, yet the handling of light demonstrates a careful study of volume.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, the sketch entered the National Museum of Fine Arts’ holdings in Buenos Aires, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Rodríguez Etchart is based on stylistic analysis and museum records, confirming its place within the artist’s early oeuvre.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Severo Rodríguez Etchart (1865–1903) was an artist, born in Buenos Aires.
Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina
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