Artwork
Alva B. Gimbel
Alva B. Gimbel is an oil painting by the Realist artist Ignacio Zuloaga. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
1 cm in width, a substantial horizontal format that accommodates a full-length depiction of the sitter.
Alva B. Gimbel is an oil painting on canvas executed in 1925 by Ignacio Zuloaga. The portrait measures 121.9 cm in height and 198.1 cm in width, a substantial horizontal format that accommodates a full-length depiction of the sitter. Zuloaga employed oil paint as his medium, working on canvas support.
The painting belongs to the portrait genre, depicting a woman in a formal presentation. No additional information regarding the artist's specific handling, the work's current condition, or detailed stylistic analysis is provided in the available sources.
Context
Alva B. Gimbel is a 1925 oil portrait by Spanish painter Ignacio Zuloaga, documented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. The work, measuring roughly 122 × 198 cm, exemplifies Zuloaga’s focus on psychological intensity within portraiture, situating it within his broader 20th‑century realist tradition. Its classification as a portrait and material composition of oil on canvas align with contemporary practices of the period, while its presence in a major museum underscores scholarly attention to Zuloaga’s contribution to modern portraiture.
The painting’s provenance and physical dimensions are recorded in cataloguing data, supporting its study as a key example of interwar portraiture.
Overview
Ignacio Zuloaga, a Spanish painter, created the oil-on-canvas portrait Alva B. Gimbel in 1925. This work depicts a woman in a realist style, capturing her in a relaxed pose amidst rich fabrics. The painting is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, representing Zuloaga's approach to portraiture in the early 20th century.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait features Alva B. Gimbel reclining on a bed, adorned in flowing, draped robes. Her long, dark hair frames her face as one arm rests behind her head, while the other delicately holds a fan. The composition emphasizes her relaxed demeanor and the luxurious textures of her garments, presenting a direct and lifelike portrayal of the sitter.
History & Provenance
Created in 1925, Alva B. Gimbel is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This acquisition places the work within a significant public institution, allowing for its study and appreciation as an example of Ignacio Zuloaga's portraiture. The painting's journey to this collection reflects its recognized artistic value.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ignacio Zuloaga y Zabaleta (July 26, 1870 – October 31, 1945) was a Spanish painter, born in Eibar, Guipuzcoa, near the monastery of Loyola.
