Artwork

María Semprún y Pombo

María Semprún y Pombo, by Emilio Sala, oil, 1900
María Semprún y Pombo, by Emilio Sala, oil, 1900

María Semprún y Pombo is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Emilio Sala. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

The artist's skillful use of chiaroscuro adds dimension to the subject, making her stand out against the plain background.

The painting depicts a woman seated on a couch, wearing a white coat with fur trim and a black dress. She has a pink flower in her hair and is holding a fan in her right hand. The background is a plain brown wall.

The woman's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal setting, possibly from the early 20th century. Her expression is neutral, and her gaze is directed straight ahead.

The painting's attention to detail and use of color create a sense of depth and texture. The artist's skillful use of chiaroscuro adds dimension to the subject, making her stand out against the plain background. You might want to look up the technique of chiaroscuro next.

Subject & Meaning

Painted in 1900, this oil on canvas portrays María Semprún y Pombo. The iconography centers on specific accessories that define the sitter's presentation: a hand fan, a glove, and a gemstone. These elements serve as the primary visual symbols within the composition, highlighting details of fashion and status characteristic of the era.

The work functions as a formal representation of the subject, utilizing these objects to construct her identity within the portrait.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1900, this work is an oil painting on canvas. The composition focuses on the figure of María Semprún y Pombo, characterized by the inclusion of specific accessories such as a hand fan, a glove, and gemstones. These elements are rendered with the material richness typical of the medium, emphasizing texture and detail in the depicted objects.

The painting measures 115 cm in height and 80 cm in width, presenting a formal arrangement that highlights the sitter's attire and adornments through the artist's handling of oil pigments.

History & Provenance

The portrait María Semprún y Pombo was painted by Emilio Sala in 1900. The work entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains located. The painting’s dimensions are 115 cm in height and 80 cm in width, executed in oil on canvas.

The painting María Semprún y Pombo by Emilio Sala is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Created in 1900, the work is executed in oil on canvas and measures 115 cm in height by 80 cm in width. The source material does not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece. Similarly, no exhibition history or past display records are documented in the available references.

Overview

Emilio Sala’s 1900 oil on canvas, titled María Semprún y Pombo, presents a solitary female figure seated on a couch. She is dressed in a white coat edged with fur, a contrasting black dress, and a pink blossom tucked into her hair, while holding a fan in her right hand. The composition rests against an unadorned brown wall, emphasizing the sitter’s presence.

Purificación Fontán, marquesa del Pazo de la Merced
Purificación Fontán, marquesa del Pazo de la Merced, Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz

Artist & collection

Portrait of Emilio Sala

Artist

Emilio Sala

Emilio Sala (1850–1910) was an artist, born in Alcoy.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

Continue through works from the same source collection.

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 María Semprún y Pombo?

María Semprún y Pombo was painted by Emilio Sala in 1900.

Where can I see María Semprún y Pombo?

María Semprún y Pombo is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is María Semprún y Pombo?

María Semprún y Pombo is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of María Semprún y Pombo?

Museum-quality prints of María Semprún y Pombo are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.