Lot Essay
Raimundo de Madrazo, son of the Romantic painter Federico de Madrazo, was most influenced by the great master Mariano Fortuny y Rosales. Like Fortuny, Madrazo worked with vivacious colours brightened up with an exquisite comprehension of light. His palette, although specifically comprised of pastels, perfectly reflects the texture and tactility of his materials and interiors.
La toilette is particularly characteristic of Madrazo's art and style. With incredible skill, the artist magnificently painted the Parisian "elegantes" of the late 19th century, gaining a reputation as an internationally renowned society portraitist and as one of the most important and talented genre artists of his time. Until his death in 1920 he continued to paint elegant scenes in which his draughtsmanship, extraordinary treatment of materials, and the protagonism of his favoured model render exquisite works which have made this artist one of the great maestros of the genre.
La toilette is particularly characteristic of Madrazo's art and style. With incredible skill, the artist magnificently painted the Parisian "elegantes" of the late 19th century, gaining a reputation as an internationally renowned society portraitist and as one of the most important and talented genre artists of his time. Until his death in 1920 he continued to paint elegant scenes in which his draughtsmanship, extraordinary treatment of materials, and the protagonism of his favoured model render exquisite works which have made this artist one of the great maestros of the genre.