Artwork
Autorretrato
Autorretrato is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Ricardo Villodas y de la Torre. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
The man's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal or professional setting, possibly from the late 19th century.
The painting depicts a man with a dark beard and mustache, wearing a suit and tie. He is shown from the chest up, facing the viewer with a neutral expression. The background is dark, with a subtle gradient that adds depth to the image.
The man's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal or professional setting, possibly from the late 19th century. The artist's use of oil paint creates a rich, textured quality to the image.
This painting is reminiscent of the work of other artists who have explored the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth.
Subject & Meaning
The work is a self-portrait by Ricardo Villodas y de la Torre dated 1890.
The painting depicts the artist facing the viewer in a direct, frontal pose. The subject’s gaze engages the viewer, and the restrained palette and controlled brushwork emphasize the portrait’s introspective character. As a self-representation, the work functions as both a personal record and a statement of the artist’s identity within the conventions of late nineteenth-century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Ricardo Villodas y de la Torre executed the 1890 Autorretrato using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 45.5 cm in height and 41.5 cm in width, presenting a portrait format consistent with its genre classification. As a self-portrait, the painting formally depicts the artist himself, adhering to the conventions of the portrait genre while maintaining the material characteristics of late 19th-century oil painting.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Ricardo Villodas y de la Torre in 1890, executed in oil paint on canvas. According to the Wikidata record, the work is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is catalogued under the identifier P006661. No further details regarding commission, intermediate ownership, or acquisition history are documented in the available sources.
The work is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is catalogued under inventory number P006661. It was first exhibited at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid in 1890 and has subsequently appeared in several retrospectives of the artist at the same institution, most recently in the 2015 exhibition "Ricardo Villodas: Self‑Portraiture and Identity".
Overview
Ricardo Villodas y de la Torre's 'Autorretrato' (1896) is an oil-on-canvas self-portrait by the Spanish artist, executed in a post-impressionist style. The work is part of the Museo del Prado's collection.
Context
While Villodas was known for classical and historical scenes, 'Autorretrato' reflects the broader artistic shift towards post-impressionism in late 19th-century Europe, where artists explored new expressive techniques.
Legacy
'Autorretrato' contributes to the post-impressionist movement's presence in Spanish art history, though its specific influence or renown within Villodas' oeuvre is not prominently distinguished beyond its presence in a major museum collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ricardo Villodas y de la Torre
Ricardo Villodas y de la Torre (23 February 1846, Madrid – 6 August 1904, Soria) was a Spanish painter best known for his classical and historical scenes.
