They met in the mid-80s of the XIX century. Rafael Altamira (1866-1951) studied law in Valencia and Joaquin Sorolla (1863-1923) harvested. their first success With a medal (1883) at the Valencia Regional Exhibition and a Second Class Medal at the National Exhibition (1884).
in 1886 they were 20 and 23 years oldHe had established a great friendship in the order that the idea of making a portrait of historian and lawyer from Alicante arose. Picture, 55×41 centimetersIt was sold to the Prado Museum by his family in 1999. creator of the University Extension, Professor and Nobel laureate at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza.
Last December, the national art gallery removed this piece from its warehouses. show for the first timein the framework of the exhibition Portraits of Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923), It was organized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the artist’s death. “The painting was in storage and, as far as I know, has never been displayed,” he says. Ignacio Ramos Altamira Grandson of the historian from Alicante.
shows business Altamira’s head is well defined, with the collar of the shirt and the tie, but bottom looks unpainted, despite signing the job. According to the information accompanying the painting in Prado, “work of candid nature,the simplicity of color so common in the artist’s early portraits».
It also points toManages to capture Altamira’s character with instant accuracyHe was treated with the idea of an ancient and noble head, but the detail of the raised ends of the mustache reveals a youthful concern for his appearance. I gifted it to a friend who loves to paint.
a second portrait
In 1912, the Valencian painter offered a dinner at his home in his honor. Archer M. HuntingtonAmerican archaeologist and Altamira, who founded the Hispanic Society of New York in 1904, was one of the guests of that special night. Most likely, during that meal the painter was commissioned for a new portrait.
The fact is that a year later, in 1913, Sorolla repainted the lawyer from Alicante. The result is a portrait of maturity that has since been found. Glorious Spaniards Gallery that institution. In this picture the historian emerges with academic dressa Doctor of Law mask and XII. With the great cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso.
the artist wrote a Letter to Altamira on January 3 announcing the start of work that year. “Dear Altamira. If you have time, we will start your portrait next Monday. Give me the time of the future. Happy New Year. Hug from Sorolla».
A portrait from 1886, now visible. For now, it’s at the Prado Museum until June 18. It could be in Alicante later. “We asked Prado to display it in Altamira’s office set up at the UA Headquarters in Alicante,” says Ignacio Ramos. “It couldn’t be done at the moment while we were preparing the exhibit.”
However, “We think possibility of making copies to be seen there permanently; The grandson of the lawyer from Alicante says we should recommend this to the UA.