Federico de Madrazo

Federico de Madrazo
Federico de Madrazo, self-portrait.
Born	February 9, 1815 Rome
Died	June 10, 1894 (aged 79) Madrid
Nationality	Spanish
Alma mater	Royal Academy of San Fernando, Madrid
Known for	Portraiture
Style	Neoclassicism[1]
Awards	Legion of Honour; Académie des Beaux-Arts
Signature

Federico de Madrazo y Kuntz (9 February 1815^[1][2] – 10 June 1894^[3]) was a Spanish painter.

Biography

Born in Rome, he was the son of the painter José de Madrazo y Agudo (1781–1859), and received his first instruction from his father. While still attending the classes at the Royal Academy of San Fernando, he painted his first picture, The Resurrection of Christ (1829), which was purchased by Queen Christina. Not long afterwards he painted Achilles in his Tent, and subsequently presented to the Academy The Continence of Scipio, which secured him admission as a member "for merit".^[4]

While decorating the palace of Vista Alegre he took up portraiture. In 1852 he went to Paris, where he studied under Franz Winterhalter, and painted portraits of Baron Taylor and Ingres. In 1837 he was commissioned to produce a picture for the gallery at Versailles, and painted "Godfrey de Bouillon proclaimed King of Jerusalem". The artist then returned to Rome, where he worked at various subjects, sacred and profane. Then he painted Maria Christina in the Dress of a Nun by the Bedside of Ferdinand III (1843), Queen Isabella, The Duchess of Medina-Coeli, and The Countess de Vilches (1845–47), besides a number of portraits of the Spanish aristocracy, some of which were sent to the exhibition of 1855.^[4]

Battle of Cerignola: El Gran Capitan finds the corpse of Louis d'Armagnac, Duke of Nemours

He received the Legion of Honour in 1846. He was made a corresponding member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts on 10 December 1853, and in 1873, on the death of Schnorr, the painter, he was chosen foreign member. Three years after his father left office, he also became Director of the Museo del Prado and president of the Academy of San Fernando. He originated in Spain the production of art reviews and journals, such as El Artiste, El Renacimiento, and El Semanario pintoresco. He died in Madrid.^[4]

His brother, Luis de Madrazo, was also known as a painter, chiefly by his Burial of Saint Cecilia (1855). Federico's best-known pupil was his son, Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (1841–1920).

References

1. "Federico de Madrazo". España Es Cultura (Spain Is Culture). Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
2. 12 February according to Chisholm 1911
3. 11 June according to Chisholm 1911
4.  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Madrazo y Kunt, Don Federico de". Encyclopædia Britannica 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 292.