Artwork
The Embarkation
The Embarkation is an oil painting by Mariano Salvador Maella. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition emphasizes themes of departure and journey, aligning with the symbolic interpretation of embarkation as a transition or voyage.
The Embarkation portrays a maritime scene featuring figures and a sailboat, reflecting the marine art genre. The work was created by Mariano Salvador Maella in 1750 using oil paint on canvas, as documented in its classification as a painting.
The composition emphasizes themes of departure and journey, aligning with the symbolic interpretation of embarkation as a transition or voyage.
The painting is part of the Museo del Prado collection and is housed in Madrid, confirming its provenance and institutional significance.
Technique & Style
Mariano Salvador Maella executed The Embarkation in oil paint on canvas, a technique typical of 18th‑century Spanish easel painting. The work measures 56 cm in height and 74 cm in width, reflecting a balanced composition that emphasizes maritime subject matter and figures aboard a sailboat. Its handling of light and detail showcases a formal approach characteristic of the period’s academic style.
History & Provenance
The Embarkation, an oil-on-canvas painting by Mariano Salvador Maella, is dated to 1750 according to the artwork’s catalog entry and is recorded in Wikidata with an inception date of 1750. The work measures 56 cm in height and 74 cm in width. It is classified as a painting.
It entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains today. No earlier ownership records or commission details are provided in the available sources.
Mariano Salvador Maella's painting The Embarkation is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. The work, executed in oil on canvas, depicts a marine scene featuring people and a sailboat. While the entity record lists an inception date of 1750, it also associates the work with the year 1784.
The painting measures 56 cm in height and 74 cm in width. No specific inventory number or detailed exhibition history is provided in the available records.
Overview
The Embarkation, an oil painting created by Mariano Salvador Maella around 1750, presents a dynamic waterfront scene. Characterized by its use of chiaroscuro, the work captures a moment of human interaction amidst maritime activity.
Context
While Maella is known for Neoclassical portraits and religious frescoes, The Embarkation showcases his ability to capture everyday life with formal compositional techniques, reflecting the artistic inclinations of his time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mariano Salvador Maella Pérez (21 August 1739 – 10 May 1819) was a Spanish painter known primarily for his portraits and religious frescoes.
