Following the models of José de Arellano

Spanish school of the XVIII century
Following models of JOSE DE ARELLANO (Madrid, circa 1665 - 1710).
"Virgin of Bethlehem.
Oil on canvas.
Relined.
Measurements: 58 x 51 cm; 68 x 61 cm (frame).

This eighteenth-century oil painting closely follows a devotional model by José De Arellano. Cut out on a neutral background, Mary is situated, dressed in a red tunic under a blue mantle trimmed in gold, with the Child on her lap. The two figures appear adorned with rich royal crowns of gold, worked in great detail and adorned with cabochons of precious stones. The figures are placed in the foreground, half-bodied, on a neutral and dark background on which stand out corporeal, worked with great illusionism. Formally, the delicate work of the faces stands out, with flesh tones rendered in cold tones, their features captured with a precise and smooth brushstroke, of Flemish heritage, which contrasts with the looser brushstroke in other areas such as the crowns or Mary's jewels, more typical of the Hispanic Baroque.
José de Arellano was a painter specialized in the subject of the still life of flowers. He was a disciple of his father, Juan de Arellano, one of the most outstanding specialists in flower painting of the Spanish Baroque. He was also the brother of the painters Manuel and Julian de Arellano. He faithfully followed his father's style, to the point that several of his works have been attributed to him. However, his language differs from that of Juan de Arellano in his drier brushstrokes and more muted palette. We know little about his biography, although we do know the date of his baptism, which took place in the parish of San Ginés in Madrid in 1653, his godfather being the painter Juan Fernández de Laredo. He is currently represented in the Prado Museum (works on deposit at the City Hall and the Casa de Colon in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Spanish Embassy at the UN in New York).