Francisco de Goya

Manuel Romero, Minister of Joseph Bonaparte (Manuel Romero, ministro de José Bonaparte)

Manuel Romero, Minister of Joseph Bonaparte (Manuel Romero, ministro de José Bonaparte)
Datos Generales
Cronología
Ca. 1810
Ubicación
The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, United States
Dimensiones
105 x 84 cm
Técnica y soporte
Oil on canvas
Reconocimiento de la autoría de Goya
Documented work
Titular
The Art Institute of Chicago
Ficha: realización/revisión
07 Apr 2010 / 16 Jun 2023
Inventario
(1970.1036)
Historia

This painting has belonged to a number of different collections: Isidoro Urzaiz, Madrid (1887); Durand Ruel, Paris; Knoedler and Co., London and New York; and that of Charles Deering, Chicago. It was stored in the Art Institute of Chicago in 1922. It was inherited by several different heirs until Mr and Mrs Charles Deering McCormick finally donated it to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1970.

Análisis artístico

Manuel Romero was named Minister of Justice and then Minister of the Interior in Joseph Bonaparte's government. Apart from this, very few biographical details are known about him. Romero's ultimate fate was almost certainly that of exile.

According to Manuela Mena, this portrait could date from between 1810 and 1812, when Romero was Minister of Justice.

Here, the figure of Manuel Romero stands before a completely black background, wearing the uniform of Joseph Bonaparte's government. The sash and cross of the Royal Order of Spain stand out amongst the medals he wears. Every detail of his outfit is meticulously painted, using brushstrokes that, according to Manuela Mena, overlap to build up a thick layer of paint.

The subject's head, perhaps a little too small compared to the rest of his body, appears to have been slotted into the neck of the suit.

His face, depicted with marked realism, describes the many wrinkles acquired over the years, the sitter being between fifty-five and sixty years old at the time this portrait was made. His eyes look out at the viewer with a certain scepticism, coldness and timidity.

Exposiciones
  • Goya en tiempos de guerra
    Museo Nacional del Prado
    Madrid
    2008
    consultant editor Manuela B. Mena Marqués, from April 14th to July 13th 2008
Bibliografía
  • DESPARMET FITZ - GERALD, Xavier
    L'œuvre peint de Goya. 4 vols
    París
    1928-1950
    p. 181, cat. 468
  • GASSIER, Pierre y WILSON, Juliet
    Vie et ouvre de Francisco de Goya
    ParísOffice du livre
    1970
    p. 261, cat. 882
  • GUDIOL RICART, José
    BarcelonaPolígrafa
    1970
    vol. I, p. 347, cat. 569
  • CAMÓN AZNAR, José
    Francisco de Goya, 4 vols.
    ZaragozaCaja de Ahorros de Zaragoza, Aragón y Rioja
    1980-1982
    vol. III, p. 170
  • MENA MARQUÉS, Manuela B.
    Goya en tiempos de guerra
    MadridMuseo Nacional del Prado
    2008
    pp. 270, 271 (il.) y 272, cat. 75
Enlaces externos
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