Maître Espagnol (c.1830) - Marie-Christine de Bourbon en Veuve du Roi d'Espagne

- Oil on canvas. Original canvas. - Around 1834, the figure of Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies embodied the complex and turbulent transition from Ferdinand VII’s Spain to the Regency, displaying a calculating, sly, and deeply Machiavellian character to preserve her daughter Isabel II’s throne against the Carlist push. In this portrait, the sovereign appears stripped of absolutist palace pomp to adopt a severe outfit in dark tones —a dense black dress with a plunging neckline embroidered with fine lace trim, crossed by the delicate fall of a pink shawl—that unmistakably recalls her status as widow of Ferdinand VII. Behind the apparent composure of her piercing gaze and the slight upturn of her lips lurks the political shrewdness of a woman who, after the King’s death in 1833 and amid the outbreak of the Carlist War, knew how to articulate alliances with moderate liberals while deftly concealing from the country her secret marriage to Agustín Fernando Muñoz; a rigorous mourning that functioned both as devout public restraint and as a strategic shield in the corridors of the Madrid Court. From a formal perspective, the piece is fully embedded in the flourishing of the courtly romantic portrait developed by the Madrid school in the early 19th century. The work bears a close stylistic kinship with the intimate, almost private mode that Antonio María Esquivel popularized, not so much with the neoclassical, late baroque, and Davidian catalog of likenesses by José de Madrazo or Vicente López Portaña. Through a soft modelling and an almost meticulous attention to the dress details—the pouffy headpiece topped with striking ostrich plumes, the tightly curled hair in the romantic fashion, and the fine line of the golden necklace—the execution eschews theatrical excess in favor of refined bourgeois verismo. This technical restraint, characteristic of the Madrid painting milieu of the thirties, manages to humanize the regal figure without diminishing an iota of the contained and sober distinction that Spanish Romantic aesthetics demanded for high society and State institutions. - Image dimensions without frame: 60 x 71 cm / 74 x 85 cm with exclusive custom frame. At Montbaron Gallery, we are pleased to offer our clients an exclusive selection of artworks, all of them unique, original, and irrepeatable. Each piece in our gallery results from deep dedication, a creative vision, and masterful technique—qualities that guarantee its authenticity. The works we sell are not industrial reproductions; they are pieces created individually by recognized artists, each with its own story and essence. Originality is the cornerstone of our commitment to excellence, and therefore every painting or sculpture in our collection is carefully selected to ensure its singularity. Acquiring a work from Montbaron Gallery means owning an irrepeatable piece, an investment in creativity and talent that, over time, will retain its artistic and emotional value. We are proud to offer works that not only beautify spaces but also connect our clients with the richness of human expression through the most authentic art. Thus, we guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is a unique piece in the world, with no replica, and a testament to the innovation and passion of the artists we work with. Certain lots, due to their age and value, require an export permit granted by the Ministry of Culture. While this is an administrative procedure, it is essential to ensure the authenticity of the work and its free circulation internationally. Montbaron Gallery is committed to offering our clients original, unique, and irrepeatable artworks, guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of every piece in our collection. To ensure transparency and trust in every acquisition, we offer a digital Certificate of Guarantee, signed by a certified art historian. This certificate confirms that the acquired work has been authenticated by our specialists, who verify its authorship, origin, and state of conservation. The Certificate of Guarantee includes complete details about the piece, such as author, creation date, technique used, and dimensions. The digital Certificate of Guarantee will be issued at the client’s request, providing an official reference for the acquired piece. This document will be sent in digital format and will be signed by an art historian from our gallery, ensuring its validity and backing. We are committed to client satisfaction and confidence, so any questions about authenticity or the condition of the work will be addressed professionally and promptly. To request your Certificate of Guarantee, please contact us through our usual channels. As experts in art logistics, at Montbaron Gallery we are committed to ensuring that every piece reaches its destination safely and in the best possible condition. To this end, we work with a network of professionals specialized in art transportation, who guarantee maximum care throughout the process. It is important to note that the shipping costs shown in the advertisement are indicative and subject to modification depending on various circumstances. These include fluctuations in transport market rates, changes in delivery location, the size and weight of the work, and possible extraordinary circumstances such as fuel cost fluctuations or adjustments to customs and import tariffs. The final shipping cost will be calculated precisely based on these factors, and the client will always be informed in advance before proceeding with shipment. Our objective is to offer the best possible service, tailored to each client’s needs and ensuring the artwork reaches its destination quickly and safely, with no surprises. The frame shown in the preceding images has been added to the work by a third party or by the seller, so it is not an integral part of the object. This frame is provided at no additional cost so that, when the work arrives at your home, it can be exhibited immediately on your wall. Consequently, damages to the frame that do not affect the integrity of the work will not be accepted as a valid reason to open a claim or request a cancellation. We invite you to bid with confidence on the pieces from our gallery. Each work we offer is original, unique, and irrepeatable, selected with maximum care and authenticity. Whether you are looking for a piece to enrich your personal collection or to add exceptional value to your space, Montbaron Gallery offers you a safe and transparent platform to bid easily and professionally. Art auctions are the perfect place to discover works that could become the heart of your collection. Here, you are not only purchasing art; you are investing in something that will grow in value over time, both aesthetically and culturally. Montbaron Gallery pieces not only reflect the talent of established artists, but also have the power to transform spaces and enrich lives. Do not miss this opportunity to be part of something unique. Bidding on a Montbaron Gallery work is more than a transaction; it is an act of appreciation for art in its purest form. We invite you to bid with passion and join us on this exciting journey toward discovery and celebration of art. Your next favorite work awaits you! The descriptions and visual presentations of the artworks included in our catalog are solely intended to offer a general, aesthetic, and narrative approach to the pieces that make up Montbaron Gallery’s collection. Art, in its material nature, may present color nuances or textures that vary with lighting or the user’s screen configuration. It is also stated that the indicated dimensions may show slight physical variations inherent in the framing process or the original support. For rigorous consultation, collectors are requested to refer exclusively to the detailed technical fiche that accompanies each work, where all technical information, certified measurements, and conservation status are specified.

Estimate:$1,683.18

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