Murillo Painting the Virgin in the Franciscan Convent at Seville, 1838
John Frederick Lewis R.A.expand_more
Watercolor, gouache, scratching out, and gum arabic over graphite, on cardexpand_more
The David M. Daniels Fundexpand_more 69.52
Not on Viewexpand_more
The British artist John Frederick Lewis painted some of the most sophisticated watercolors ever produced. This elaborate example was executed in Paris during the winter of 1838. A well-traveled artist, Lewis had closely studied the paintings of Bartolomé Estebán Murillo (1617–1682) during a visit to Spain in 1832. However, the curious composition of Murillo Painting the Virgin was almost certainly suggested by Horace Vernet’s Raphael at the Vatican, a work that aroused considerable interest at the 1833 Paris Salon and one Lewis surely examined. He may have intended his own painting as a tribute to the Spanish artist, a challenge to the Frenchman Vernet, or a topical response to the excitement caused in Paris in 1838 when the Galerie Espagnole opened in the Louvre. The representation of old masters at work had a long tradition, and the depiction of a Spanish master would have been timely in 1838.
Details
- Title
- Murillo Painting the Virgin in the Franciscan Convent at Seville
- Artist Life
- 1805 - 1876
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 69.52
- Provenance
- William Leaf, Park Hill, Streatham (by 1857-d. 1874; his sale, Christie’s, London, May 6-8, 1875, no. 458, for £367.10 to Vokins); [J & W Vokins, London, in 1875]. Sale, Christie's, London, March 26, 1920, no. 40, for £68, to Bowden; George Bowden, London (1920-1935; his sale, Christie's, London, August 1, 1935, no.10, to Beale). Sale, Sotheby's, London, November 21, 1968, no. 109, for £60 to Green; J. G. Green; [Jeremy Maas Gallery, London, until 1969; sold to MIA]
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Lewis 1978, no. 287
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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