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Lot Essay
Cabrera is the foremost representative of Mexican colonial painting and is recognized for his excellent religious subjects, such as the present painting. Under the leadership of the then archbishop of Nueva Espaa and the approval of the pope Benedict XIV, Cabrera was named "court painter to the Queen of Heavens"(pintor de camara de la Reina de los Cielos).
Judging by the style of this work, Cabrera, was strongly influenced by the work of Bartolom Esteban Murillo, following the fashion very much in vogue in Spain and Mexico during the 18th century. This stylistic idealization also has references to Paul Rubens and the intimacy and delicacy of the French boudoir artists of Louis XIV. Thanks to his sense of idealization, Cabrera's religious works, include delicate devotional figures of great beauty. His pictures are also dominated by a rich palette of color and drawing technique, for which the present Virgen Pastora is an excellent example.
There is a painting by Cabrera signed and dated 1765 of El Buen Pastor with identical iconography and landscape (Christie's November 29, 1983, lot 5). Although of smaller format and with a prominent cartouche and inscription, the resemblance is extremely close proving Cabrera's success in his iconography of these popular subjects.
We are grateful to Dr. David Medina Portillo for his assistance in cataloguing the present lot.
This painting is part of the National Heritage of Mexico and cannot be removed from that country. Accordingly, it is offered for sale in New York from the catalogue and will not be able in New York. Delivery of the painting will be made in Mexico in compliance with local requirements. Prospective buyers may contact Christie's Representative in Mexico for an appointment to view the work.
Judging by the style of this work, Cabrera, was strongly influenced by the work of Bartolom Esteban Murillo, following the fashion very much in vogue in Spain and Mexico during the 18th century. This stylistic idealization also has references to Paul Rubens and the intimacy and delicacy of the French boudoir artists of Louis XIV. Thanks to his sense of idealization, Cabrera's religious works, include delicate devotional figures of great beauty. His pictures are also dominated by a rich palette of color and drawing technique, for which the present Virgen Pastora is an excellent example.
There is a painting by Cabrera signed and dated 1765 of El Buen Pastor with identical iconography and landscape (Christie's November 29, 1983, lot 5). Although of smaller format and with a prominent cartouche and inscription, the resemblance is extremely close proving Cabrera's success in his iconography of these popular subjects.
We are grateful to Dr. David Medina Portillo for his assistance in cataloguing the present lot.
This painting is part of the National Heritage of Mexico and cannot be removed from that country. Accordingly, it is offered for sale in New York from the catalogue and will not be able in New York. Delivery of the painting will be made in Mexico in compliance with local requirements. Prospective buyers may contact Christie's Representative in Mexico for an appointment to view the work.