Amalia de Llano y Dotres, Countess of Vilches

05 November 2024 - 01 December 2024

This painting is one of the most famous works of Spanish Romanticism and is also one of the artist's masterpieces, one of the foremost portrait painters of his time.

Amalia (1822-1874) married Gonzalo José de Vilches, 1st Count of Vilches, in 1839. An author and promi- nent horsewoman, she was a frequent guest at social gatherings held by Madrazo. This friendship enabled the artist to paint a very intimate likeness with a sensuality that contrasts with the constrained and staid nature of most of his portraits of women. Unlike those other portraits, here Madrazo was more influenced by French painting, Ingres in particular. The soft lighting and dark background contrast with the sitter's flesh. Her figure is presented in a su- pposedly casual pose, indicated by her smile and also by the way she holds her head, her posture in the armchair, and the placement of the red shawl.

Bequeathed by Gonzalo de Vilches y Llano, 2nd Count of Vilches, in 1892; arrived at the Museum in 1944.

Connecting through Art is a project with its roots in the Museo del Prado´s efforts to expand its pre- sence all over the country by taking 18 masterpie- ces from its collection to 18 different cities in all corners. This initiative is being sponsored by Telefónica as part its centennial celebrations.

• More information about the painting (Museo del Prado)