La Fuensanta
La Fuensanta is a portrait painting by Spanish artist Julio Romero de Torres depicting Maria Teresa López González, one of Torres' gypsy models. Gonzalez is depicted with her arms resting on a copper cauldron. The painting was made in the autumn of 1929, when Torres completed another two artworks, La Chiquita Piconera and Bodegas Cruz Conde.
| La Fuensanta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Julio Romero de Torres |
| Year | 1929 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 100 cm × 80 cm (39 in × 31 in) |
| Location | Private collection |
Born in Argentina, González moved with her family to Torres' native town of Córdoba after World War I.[1] Since she first sat for Torres at the age of fourteen, González became one of his favourite models whose likeness is most closely associated to Torres.[1] The painting is considered a quintessential rendition of Andalusian beauty and became imbedded in the Spanish national conscience during the 25 years of its depiction on the 100 peseta banknote.[1]
Provenance
The provenance of La Fuensanta has been largely unknown since 1930 when it was exhibited at the Ibero-American Exposition in Seville. In 1994, the painting was bought by an Argentine citizen. In November 2007, La Fuensanta was sold by Sotheby's to a private buyer.[2] The Spanish Ministry of Culture tried to purchase the painting from Sotheby's, but the auction price of 1,173,400 euros was too high.[3]
La Fuensanta on the reverse of 100 pesetas, 1953
References
- "Iconic Cultural Image Heads Selection of Works by Top Spanish Artists" (PDF). Sotheby's. Retrieved 16 Aug 2015.
- "Julio Romero de Torres". Sotheby's. Retrieved 16 Aug 2015.
- "El Gobierno pujó por la 'Fuensanta' de Romero de Torres en Sotheby's, pero desistió porque se disparó el precio" (in Spanish). Europa Press. 23 Jan 2008. Retrieved 16 Aug 2015.