Artwork

Portrait of a Gentleman

Portrait of a Gentleman, by Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans, oil, 1844
Portrait of a Gentleman, by Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans, oil, 1844

Portrait of a Gentleman is an oil painting by Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

These objects collectively establish the genre as a formal portrait, focusing on the representation of an individual gentleman.

The work depicts a single male figure, identified as the main subject of the composition. Beyond the sitter himself, the painting includes an inkstand as a specific iconographic element within the scene. These objects collectively establish the genre as a formal portrait, focusing on the representation of an individual gentleman.

The inclusion of the writing implement suggests the subject's engagement with scholarly or administrative pursuits, anchoring the image in the context of 19th-century portraiture.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1870 by Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 84 cm in height and 69 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition focuses on a male figure as the primary subject, accompanied by an inkstand within the scene.

The piece is classified as a portrait and is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

History & Provenance

The Portrait of a Gentleman was created by Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans in 1870. This oil-on-canvas work depicts a man accompanied by an inkstand. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

While some records indicate an inception date of 1844, the definitive date of creation is established as 1870. The artwork measures 84 cm in height and 69 cm in width.

The Portrait of a Gentleman by Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The work is an oil painting on canvas, executed in 1870, and measures 84 cm in height by 69 cm in width. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the painting is cataloged within the museum's holdings as a portrait depicting a man with an inkstand. No exhibition history is documented in the provided sources.

Overview

Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans painted Portrait of a Gentleman in oil in 1844. The work is part of the Museo del Prado’s collection and presents a seated male figure rendered with a restrained palette. The composition centers on the sitter, whose posture and attire suggest a formal, middle‑class identity of the period.

Context

The portrait reflects the conventions of Spanish academic portraiture of the 1840s, where emphasis on realism and modest background settings were common. Ferrant’s choice of a solitary figure with professional accoutrements aligns with contemporary depictions of the emerging middle class in post‑Napoleonic Spain.

Enrique Simonet y Baca, the artist’s father
Enrique Simonet y Baca, the artist’s father, Enrique Simonet

Artist & collection

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Gentleman?

Portrait of a Gentleman was painted by Alejandro Ferrant y Fischermans in 1844.

Where can I see Portrait of a Gentleman?

Portrait of a Gentleman is held by Museo del Prado.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Gentleman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Gentleman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.