Artwork

Witerico

Witerico, by Benito Soriano Murillo, oil, 1859
Witerico, by Benito Soriano Murillo, oil, 1859

Witerico is an oil painting by Benito Soriano Murillo. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays Witteric, a Visigothic king, wearing a royal mantle and crown while holding a sword, symbolizing monarchical authority and martial power. This iconography emphasizes the ruler's divine right and martial prowess, linking the figure to historical notions of sovereignty in early medieval Spain.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, measuring 224 cm in height by 140 cm in width. It portrays a sword, a royal mantle, a crown, and the figure of Witteric. Created in 1859 by Benito Soriano Murillo, the piece is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado.

History & Provenance
The work depicts the Visigothic king Witteric alongside regalia including a sword, royal mantle, and crown, and is executed in oil on canvas.

Witerico is an oil painting created by Benito Soriano Murillo in 1859. The work depicts the Visigothic king Witteric alongside regalia including a sword, royal mantle, and crown, and is executed in oil on canvas. The painting is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains located.

No further details regarding the circumstances of its commission, its original patron, or the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition by the Prado are documented in the available sources.

Benito Soriano Murillo's 1859 oil painting Witerico is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. The work depicts the Visigothic king Witteric alongside regalia including a crown, royal mantle, and sword. While the source provides the creation date of January 1, 1859, and physical dimensions of 224 cm in height by 140 cm in width, it does not list a specific inventory or accession number for the piece. Furthermore, the available documentation contains no record of the painting's exhibition history or public display schedule.

Legacy

The painting Witerico by Benito Soriano Murillo, completed in 1859, is housed in the Museo del Prado and portrays the legendary Visigothic king Witteric with regalia symbolizing royal authority. Its historical subject reflects 19th-century Spanish interest in medieval monarchical narratives, linking Romantic-era artistic themes to Spain's medieval past. Depictions of authority such as crown and sword underscore the work's thematic focus on sovereignty, offering insight into how 19th-century artists engaged with historical iconography.

The work's presence in a major national collection like the Museo del Prado has contributed to its recognition within Spanish art historical discourse, though specific scholarly assessments of its influence remain limited in available documentation.

Overview

Created in 1859, this oil on canvas by Benito Soriano Murillo portrays the Visigothic king Witteric. The work is part of the Museo del Prado’s collection and presents the ruler in a dramatic pose amid a rugged landscape, emphasizing his authority through regal attire and a sword.

Aurelio
Aurelio, Eduardo Cano

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 Witerico?

Witerico was painted by Benito Soriano Murillo in 1859-01-01.

Where can I see Witerico?

Witerico is held by Museo del Prado.

Can I buy a print of Witerico?

Museum-quality prints of Witerico are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.