Lot Essay
"This canvas reproduces a Madrilenean engraving dating from before the establishment of the Royal chalcography in 1789. This engraving is based on a sculpture representing the dressed image of the Virgen de la Soledad. The head and hands of the sculpture were executed by the Spanish mannerist artist Gaspar Becerra in 1565, commissioned by Queen Isabela de Valois and destined for the church of the Minimos Fathers of La Victoria in Madrid.
The accuracy of the engraving prevented higher levels of expression by the author, José Campeche, whose use of color and form are most evident in the angels and cherubins.
The historical value of this painting increases in light of the fact that the original sculpture was destroyed by the fire of the collegiate church of San Isidro in Madrid, in July 1936. The painting illustrated in this catalogue was executed in Puerto Rico, between the years of 1782 and 1789, under the regime of Bishop Trespalacios, as it can be inferred from the legend at the bottom of the painting".
Arturo Dávila, Puerto Rico
June, 1996
The accuracy of the engraving prevented higher levels of expression by the author, José Campeche, whose use of color and form are most evident in the angels and cherubins.
The historical value of this painting increases in light of the fact that the original sculpture was destroyed by the fire of the collegiate church of San Isidro in Madrid, in July 1936. The painting illustrated in this catalogue was executed in Puerto Rico, between the years of 1782 and 1789, under the regime of Bishop Trespalacios, as it can be inferred from the legend at the bottom of the painting".
Arturo Dávila, Puerto Rico
June, 1996