Spanish school; second third of the XVII century.

Spanish school; second third of the XVII century.
"Comic character".
Oil on canvas. Relined from the 18th century.
It has a frame of the nineteenth century.
Provenance: Private Collection (Barcelona).
Measurements: 43 x 33 cm; 60 x 46 cm (frame).
This painting of the XVII century presents a character with an unusual expression for the time: a marked smile and an air of mockery or nonchalance. His face is dramatically illuminated, highlighting the pink color of the cheeks, the lines of the face, and a look that seems sarcastic. The contrast between the dark background and the details of the face and neck, enhanced by the curly white collar, creates a sense of theatricality. The brushwork, while precise, hints at the texture of the oil and the aging of the work, adding an authentic and vivid character.
The fact that the character is smiling is a feature of great uniqueness in 17th century painting, since, at that time, the open smile was not common in portraits or genre scenes. This distinguishes it from more solemn works, but connects it to a burlesque or humorous genre that some artists of the time explored.
When compared to artists such as Vincenzo Campi, this portrait is reminiscent of Campi's peasants or humble characters, who often had exaggerated expressions and lively gestures. However, Campi tended to insert these figures into everyday contexts loaded with objects and narrative details, whereas here the focus is exclusively on the face and its expression. The face bears some similarity to the painting of Adriaen Brouwer. Brouwer frequently showed characters with exaggerated gestures, often in grotesque or comical situations. Finally, artists such as Pedro de Villavicencio or Antonio de Puga, who also explored the costumbrista or the portrait of popular figures. In short, this work stands out for its rarity within the context of the seventeenth century: a frank and almost comic smile, which links it more with the burlesque aspects of artists like Brouwer or Campi, although it maintains a direct and focused approach that makes it unique in its genre.