Escuela española XIX

Spanish school of the second half of the 19th century. Circle of LUPIÁÑEZ Y CARRASCO, José (Málaga, 1864 - 1938).
"Plaza Mayor, Madrid.
Oil on panel.
Period frame.
Measurements: 48.5 x 72 cm; 69.5 x 92 cm (frame).
In this panel the artist depicts a popular scene with a certain satirical tone, in line with 19th-century Madrid genre painting. In fact, while the Sevillian school of the genre emphasises a gentle, folkloric picturesqueness, far removed from any attempt at social criticism, the Madrilenian school is more pungent and harsh, sometimes depicting not only the vulgar but even recreating heartbreaking visions of a clichéd world of the working class, in which the spirit of criticism is evident. Thus, we see a market scene, and in the foreground a family being harassed by the sellers, one of whom puts a turkey in front of the gentleman's face, forcing him to lean back. The formal and stylistic characteristics of this work make it a member of the circle of José Lupiáñez, a painter from Malaga who trained at the Malaga and Madrid Schools of Fine Arts and was a pupil of Carlos de Haes at the latter. He exhibited individually and collectively and sent several works to the National Fine Arts Exhibitions. He also took part in the Cadiz Provincial Exhibition of 1888 and the Philadelphia International Exhibition of 1889, receiving honourable mentions in both. There is evidence that in 1884 he exhibited the canvas "Cercanías de Aranjuez" ("Near Aranjuez") and, in 1910, "Puerta de la huerta de los frailes" ("Gate of the Friars' Vegetable Garden"). He was a painter with an intelligent pasiajistic concept who prolonged the influence of Carlos de Haes over time, giving landscape painting a rare importance in Spain at the time. He is represented in the Provincial Museum of Lugo, as well as in various national and international private collections.