ART AFICIONADO: Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz

Art Appreciation

Spanish painter Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz, known for his portraits and historical scenes, was born in Rome on February 9, 1815. He was born into an artistic family who dominated 19th-century painting in Spain.

Initially, he received training in Neoclassicism from his father, José de Madrazo y Agudo. While he attended the Royal Academy of San Fernando, he painted his first painting, The Resurrection of Christ.

Madrazo studied under German painter Franz Xaver Winterhalter and painted portraits of Baron Taylor and Ingres, in 1832. A few years later, he won a scholarship to study in Rome, where he was exposed to the works of Italian Renaissance painters, which influenced a new style and technique that captured the essence of his subjects.

In 1837, he was commissioned to produce a painting for the gallery at Versailles, Godfrey de Bouillon proclaimed King of Jerusalem.

Upon his return to Spain, Madrazo established himself as a leading portraitist and was commissioned by members of the Spanish royal family and aristocracy to paint their portraits. He was also an accomplished history painter, and his works often depicted grand historical events and figures.

His paintings are characterized by their dramatic lighting and attention to detail, which added a sense of grandeur and drama to his works. Madrazo's works can be found in some of the world's most famous art museums and galleries, including the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Louvre in Paris, and the National Gallery in London.