Who painted Por la patria?

Por la patria was painted by Juan Antonio Benlliure in 1892.

Where can I see Por la patria?

Por la patria is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Por la patria?

Por la patria is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Por la patria?

Museum-quality prints of Por la patria are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Por la patria

Juan Antonio Benlliure , 1892

Por la patria is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Juan Antonio Benlliure. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Por la patria depicts a firearm and a seat, the two elements catalogued in the work's iconographic record.

Por la patria depicts a firearm and a seat, the two elements catalogued in the work's iconographic record. The pairing of these objects suggests a memorial or commemorative scene, in which the abandoned weapon and empty chair stand in for an absent figure, a common device in late nineteenth-century Spanish painting for evoking sacrifice and remembrance. The title, meaning "For the homeland," reinforces this reading, framing the depicted objects as symbols of patriotic duty and loss rather than as straightforward portraiture or genre detail.

Technique & Style

Por la patria is an oil painting executed on a canvas support by Juan Antonio Benlliure in 1884. The work measures 315 cm in height and 252 cm in width, indicating a substantial scale for its genre. Visually, the composition depicts specific elements including a firearm and a seat, rendered through the application of oil paint. The piece is currently held within the collection of the Museo del Prado.

History & Provenance

The oil painting Por la patria was created by the Spanish artist Juan Antonio Benlliure in 1884. Executed on canvas, the large-scale work measures 315 cm in height and 252 cm in width. The piece depicts a firearm and a seat as part of its composition.

Currently, the artwork is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it remains part of the institution's permanent holdings.

Overview

Juan Antonio Benlliure’s 1892 oil on canvas, titled Por la patria, is part of the Prado Museum’s collection. The work presents a modest interior scene illuminated by a fire, where a seated figure and a kneeling companion share the space, while a firearm rests nearby as a silent prop.