Who painted D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena?

D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena was painted by Mariano Salvador Maella in 1791-01-01.

Where can I see D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena?

D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena?

D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena?

Museum-quality prints of D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena

Mariano Salvador Maella , 1796

D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Mariano Salvador Maella. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Pedro López de Lerena, the first Count of Lerena, in a formal representation that emphasizes his roles as statesman and administrator.

The portrait depicts Pedro López de Lerena, the first Count of Lerena, in a formal representation that emphasizes his roles as statesman and administrator. Surrounding attributes reinforce this identity: a sword signals authority and noble rank, while a book, pen, and inkwell identify him as a man of learning, governance, and bureaucratic office. Together these objects communicate the sitter's dual character as both aristocrat and functionary of the Crown.

Painted in 1791 by Mariano Salvador Maella, the work functions as an official commemorative image, presenting the Count through the visual language of late-eighteenth-century Spanish state portraiture. The combination of martial and scholarly emblems situates him within the Bourbon reformist milieu of his era, casting him as a cultivated servant of royal authority rather than a purely military or courtly figure.

Technique & Style

Created in 1791 by Mariano Salvador Maella, the portrait of Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena, is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 152 cm in height and 107 cm in width. Stylistically, the painting depicts the sitter alongside specific attributes including a sword, a book, a pen, and an inkwell. These objects are rendered to highlight the subject's status and intellectual pursuits within the formal composition.

History & Provenance

The oil-on-canvas portrait of D Pedro López de Lerena, I Count of Lerena, was executed by Mariano Salvador Maella in 1791. The work depicts the sitter alongside a sword, book, pen, and inkwell, reflecting his status and role. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. The painting measures 152 cm in height and 107 cm in width.

The portrait of Pedro López de Lerena, painted by Mariano Salvador Maella in 1791, is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. The work, executed in oil on canvas, measures 152 cm in height and 107 cm in width. While the painting's creation date and current location are documented, the provided sources do not contain specific inventory numbers or details regarding its exhibition history.

Overview

Mariano Salvador Maella’s 1796 oil portrait presents Pedro López de Lerena, the inaugural Count of Lerena, in a formal seated pose. The composition places the nobleman before a desk laden with books, an inkwell, and a sheet of paper, while a green curtain frames the background. The painting is part of the Museo del Prado’s collection in Madrid.