Artwork
Bermudo I el Diácono rey de Asturias
Bermudo I el Diácono rey de Asturias is an oil painting by Isidoro Lozano. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work’s meaning lies in its symbolic fusion of secular and sacred authority, presenting the monarch as a pious foundation of the kingdom’s legitimacy.
The painting shows Bermudo I, a 9th-century Asturian monarch, depicted as a deacon-king holding a sceptre and crown while also clutching a book, symbols that merge royal authority with ecclesiastical office and suggest divine sanction of his rule. The iconography emphasizes the dual temporal and spiritual power attributed to the figure, reflecting 19th-century reinterpretations of early Asturian governance. The work’s meaning lies in its symbolic fusion of secular and sacred authority, presenting the monarch as a pious foundation of the kingdom’s legitimacy.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for mid-nineteenth-century Spanish academic portraiture.
The handling is consistent with academic practice of the period, emphasizing smooth blending and careful modeling of the figure’s garments and features. The palette is subdued, with neutral tones dominating the costume and a restrained palette of darks and low chroma accents in the regalia.
The composition centers on a frontal three-quarter view of the king, who is depicted holding a golden scepter and an open book, symbols of royal and ecclesiastical authority. The crown rests on a draped surface to the right, reinforcing the subject’s dual identity as both monarch and cleric.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Bermudo I el Diácono, king of Asturias, was created by the artist Isidoro Lozano in 1852. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 224 cm in height and 140 cm in width. The painting depicts the monarch holding a scepter, a book, and a crown. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
The painting depicting Bermudo I el Diácono rey de Asturias is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Created by Isidoro Lozano in 1852, the work is executed in oil paint on canvas. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum maintains the piece as part of its permanent holdings. No exhibition history is documented in the provided sources.
Overview
Bermudo I el Diácono rey de Asturias is an 1852 oil painting by Isidoro Lozano, housed at the Museo del Prado. The work portrays a figure in a contemplative setting, characterized by subdued lighting and symbolic attributes.
Context
The work reflects 19th-century interests in historical and religious themes. Bermudo I's depiction as a reading, religiously adorned king may speak to the era's values on scholarship, faith, and monarchic duty.
Legacy
While not extensively detailed in provided sources, the painting's presence in the Museo del Prado suggests it contributes to the broader understanding of Isidoro Lozano's oeuvre and 19th-century Spanish art practices.
Artist & collection
