Artwork
Melchor de Macanaz (copia)

Melchor de Macanaz (copia) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Teresa Madasú. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Beyond the portrait of the individual, the composition includes specific iconographic elements such as a document and a book placed within the scene.
The painting depicts the historical figure Melchor de Macanaz, presented as a copy of an earlier work. Beyond the portrait of the individual, the composition includes specific iconographic elements such as a document and a book placed within the scene. These objects likely allude to Macanaz's identity as a scholar, statesman, and writer, emphasizing his intellectual and administrative contributions.
The inclusion of these items serves to contextualize the sitter's professional life and legacy, transforming the portrait into a representation of his scholarly authority.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1877 by Teresa Madasú, this work is an oil painting on canvas. The composition focuses on the depiction of a document and a book, rendered with the handling characteristic of mid-19th-century portraiture or still-life elements within a larger context. The physical dimensions of the support measure 100.5 cm in height by 82 cm in width.
As a copy held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, the piece utilizes traditional oil media to replicate the visual qualities of its subject matter.
History & Provenance
The painting is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, as recorded in its institutional data. According to the Wikidata entry, the work forms part of the museum's holdings, with its location listed as the Museo del Prado. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources.
No exhibition history is documented in the materials reviewed for this work.
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1889 by Teresa Madasú, portrays a seated figure engaged with documents and books, set against a backdrop of shelves and a curtain. The work is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado.
Context
While specific contextual details about the painting's creation are not provided, it reflects late 19th-century artistic approaches to portraiture and interior scenes, possibly touching on themes of professionalism or intellectual pursuits.
Legacy
As part of the Museo del Prado's collection, the painting contributes to the institution's holdings of 19th-century Spanish art, though its individual impact or recognition within broader art historical narratives is not specified.
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