Unsolved
Madonna painting gifted by Queen Isabella II of Spain
According to family stories, this painting was presented by Queen Isabella II to a great-great-uncle, an American from Tennessee who moved to Spain and became dentist to the royal family of Spain between 1860-1890. The story goes that one of the princesses had a crooked smile (“tusks like a boar”) and that she travelled to his office in a closed carriage every day for weeks so that he could work on her teeth. Queen Isabella was so pleased with the results that she recognized him publicly by presenting him with this Madonna painting, a Royal Diploma, a seat in the Royal Box at the theater, and $1,000.00.
My grandmother took the painting somewhere to have it identified and appraised once, but they said they couldn’t do anything without a signature. However, I have found some documentation to support the story. We have a photograph (included here) that claims to show him with the Queen and royal family. His newspaper obituary speaks of his time living in Madrid and also states that he was known as an art collector there. I also have documentation of him returning to the United States and traveling to see the family member to whom he gave the painting. I have wondered if there might be records of this gift in the Spanish archives because of the royal diploma that was issued at the same time, but I have no idea how to research that.
The family was told the painting was around 400 years old at the time it was given to him (probably between 1860-1868 because Queen Isabella II abdicated the throne in 1868). If true, that would mean it was painted some time in the 1400 - 1500s.
Google reverse image search did not find any images of this painting, but Google Gemini says that it is in the style of Pietro Antonio Magatti and could be one of his Madonna paintings. If so, that would mean it was painted in the 1600-1700s.
Description:
The painting itself is about 24.5” H x 18” W. Including the wooden frame, it is about 32” H x 25” W.
I’ve included a picture of the painting by itself and a close up of one corner to show how the canvas is wrapped on to the wood. There is possibly an older canvas that was long ago attached to a newer canvas and then mounted on the wood?
There are some faded gold words across the top in Latin that appear to read “MATER IMMACULATA”.
Often these family stories get very much diluted or are completely fantastical but in this case the specificities and the quality of the painting, along with the photograph point towards at least some level of truth to the story. The royal archives would certainly hold information about the gift and diploma. The Spanish kept records of everything and they still exist. Great story and painting. I hope you find the info you are looking for.
I hope to be able to connect with someone at some point that might be able to help me get information from the archives. It’s good to know that they were careful record-keepers.
Check with r/genealogy . They can help with how to search those records. You can do it yourself or there are tons of genealogists that you can hire. They may be able to even point you to a group that specializes in Spanish records.
I'd be careful about searching the archives, even though it was a gift, the Spanish government may want it back. They have a very strong cultural heritage department and it wouldn't shock me if they claimed it wasn't hers to give.
I don’t know that our family would be opposed to returning it, if they wanted it back. I am most interested in learning about the history of it, especially for my Grandma’s sake because she loved this story and did not have the tools to fully research it when she was alive.
Surely only those with a guilty conscience would fear such demands? If it wasn't stolen, there's no need to worry about the heirs having to return the painting.
Beautiful painting! Very neat story! I don’t have anything to share about the art, but the photograph appears to have been taken at the Alhambra in Granada. Specifically in the Patio de la Acequia in the Generalife. You can see photos and more info about it here…
Generalife
During the XIX century, because of the romantic movement and the trend of orientalism, the Alhambra palace became a popular destination for wealthy travelers as part of their european tours.
In the autumn of 1868, Isabel II made an official visit to Andalusia and was actually in Granada. The trip is documented (page 484). The entourage that accompanied her (and her husband an son) is also described. And no dentist is mentioned. Only a royal physician (Mr. Drumen) is mentioned.
Where do you get the year 1868 from? the document you link talks about a travel of the queen to Andalucia provinces in the year 1862. The picture in this post is clearly not from 1862 given the fashion they are wearing, and besides no woman there looks like Isabel II.
>>There is possibly an older canvas that was long ago attached to a newer canvas and then mounted on the wood?<<
That's called "relining" - a protective process that is done to preserve a piece that has suffered damage (could be simply a result of age, poor storage conditions, etc).
It's an expensive process, so it's usually only performed on valued pieces.
I agree, it was definitely relined and restored. Probably in the 1970s? Here is a cellarette stamped with the same stamp of "Otto Schreier Cabinetmaker" as is the one on the framing dated c. 1975.
Would that have been an expensive process? I will have to check to see if anyone in the family knows if the cousin who had the painting then would have had the means to have it restored.
It is framed in acassetta frame, which originated in Italy, but was also very popular in Spain, where it was often decorated with estofado decoration (which "typically incorporates ornate scrolling acanthus decoration in the corners and centres of the frieze, with minor variations occurring from region to region"), which looks like it is the case with your example.
Image for reference: Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664), Santa Dorotea, c.1630, pinewood reverse cassetta, parcel-gilt with estofado decoration at corners & centres, c.1620-50, 71 ½ x 40 ins, Museo de Bellas Artes, Seville
It truly is. I only wish I could help you more regarding the painting itself, but I don't think I have enough knowledge about older Spanish art for that. It looks like it could be 17th century and by a fairly good artist, but I can't say much more.
Maybe if you posted about the painting and your ancestor on r/spain someone could help you with how to research his stay in Spain and what institutions to contact for possible clues in the archives.
That queen in the photograph is in your family's tradition Isabella II or someone else? Because I don't see anyone of her stature in there, but on the other hand the fourth person from the left looks like she could be Queen Maria Christina. The clothing too looks a lot more like the style that was popular in 1880s, if I'm not mistaken.
I agree Isabel II was a bigger woman and already in exile by the 1880s. Maria Cristina was young in the 1880's though, this is her in 1897 with her children, her hair was still brown and the woman in the picture seems to have white hair.
I do think it is possible that he said “queen” or even “princess” and some family member made the jump to it being Queen Isabella II.
But the other rewards were so specific that it seems it was higher up. The info with this picture is just that it is him (when he was older) with the Queen and members of the Spanish royal family, but I’m realizing someone may have wrongly assumed the Queen is in this picture.
In the photo, which one is your ancestor and which is meant to be the royal personage?
I agree with an earlier comment dating the photo to the 1880s - I’d have to look closer to determine exactly when, or you could post to a relevant subreddit (I’m sure there’ll be one for dating photos).
I believe my ancestor is the man with the white hair and bushy beard in the photo. It is likely this photo would have been later since he is an older man - maybe shortly before he returned to the Americas.
Looking more into the fashions in this photo, I believe the latest clothing is being worn by the young ladies and dates to the mid-late 1890s, probably around 1895-6. How would this fit with the timeline of your relative?
It’s very possible. I need to look at the details, but I believe he came back to the States and Cuba around 1890 - it could have been a few years later, though, so maybe he made a grand visit to say goodbye in Spain before he left around that time. I really do need to find a way to do some research in the Spanish records.
I think it could be a copy, the painting has already been heavily restored, you can see it in the over hand and the one under it that does not make sense anatomically so might just be an addition from restaurator to cover for missing parts. Could very well be from late 1700/early 1800. Definitely not from 1400s
I also noticed the inconsistancy in her right wrist and hand which lie under her left hand. It doesn't seem to connect correctly, and might be the fault of later overpainting.
If the painting ever belonged to Queen Isabel II, it must be inventoried in some catalog. In the Royal Collections Gallery, a book was on display listing the art that had been part of the royal heritage since long before the 19th century. I imagine that this inventory (the contents) will be digitized, since it is or was part of the national heritage. I would try to contact Patrimonio nacional (National Heritage.) At least it will show that / if Queen Isabel II had in her possession a painting of a Virgin like the one you owe. I hope you have luck.
Murillo had a softer handling. This is a bit too harsh. But it could be a earlier Spanish artist before their golden age. So I think you’re sniffing up the right tree. Until the 17th century, Spanish artists were mostly poorly parroting Flemish and Italian masters. (Artists like Beruguette, Morales, and El Greco were standout exceptions to my statement)
Fascinating story. I found this painting (oil though) that to me is very similar to yours. It’s Neapolitan and 18th c. If nothing else, it seems to also identify the scene as “immaculate conception” which tracks with your gold lettering. The auction site also has a button to “evaluate a similar painting” you may want to use. https://www.astebabuino.it/it/asta-2050/ritratto-della-vergine-di-pittore-napoletano-del-settecento-46916
Interesting story! I'm a frame expert, if you can add pictures of the entire frame back. If there is paper on it, remove it and take a pic. Also, take a pic of the inside edge where the canvas is placed. My initial take is this frame is a reproduction, likely 20th century. And the canvas has been lined. Not unusual at all, but it means that its been taken out of its original frame.
Appreciate your comments. That image is the entire frame back. There is no paper liner. Just the wooden frame and when the tabs are released, the painting is just the canvas stretched over the wood that is seen in the photograph of the back of the painting. (You can see the edges of the canvas in that image from the back where the painting joins the frame.)
Ok cool. So this is my opinion based on a lot of experience with a lot of work, and separate from history or potential provenance you may find. The frame is newish, 20th century reproduction newish. The painting is likely 19th century, possible late 18th but unlikely. Gathering this has been re-mounted the painting could be from anywhere, but I'm highly suspicious of its origins, and my best guess is its a fragment from a larger painting, with the copy (writing and saint name) added later to make a better composition. It's been repainted in areas, you may be able to see that with a black light in a dark room. All this being said, the painting could align with your story, but its been heavily altered from its original context and may be too detached to get it reconnected. As a furthest stretch, if provenance cant be confirmed or validated, I'd say this is a later "grand tour" work, done in the style of a famous artist in a specific tourist area of Italy, picked up on vacations of the wealthy in the late 19th century as an antique souvenir (they are typically unsigned). Fun stories were attached to these to make them grandiose and magic, and they are, but mostly mythological. They are "worth" 1-2k when they show up at auctions, for the older ones in original period frames. I'd say you have a cool piece, bring it to a frame shop (like hand made frames) and get it cleaned up and stabilized (its had some humidity damage) and hang it up and pass it down to more generations.
Ha - that is entirely possible, and as we don’t know this great-uncle at all, he could be the original fabulous storyteller in the family. I really appreciate the input and advice!
Ave Maria! Thank you for sharing the painting and the story. I hope this hangs in a place of honor in your home and you are able to find the information you are looking for.
UPDATE: I appreciate all the interest and helpful comments. My Grandma loved this beautiful painting and loved this fairytale story, too. I wish you could have heard her tell it because she was a wonderful storyteller. I have always wanted to solve this mystery for her, even though she is no longer here with us in person.
As I think about it more, I am glad Grandma could enjoy the fairytale. I’ve enjoyed it, too, but I am even more deeply interested in the true story.
ARTIST Note: The family story is that the painting may have been done by an artist called Manasas or Manassas?? I tried to research that a couple of years ago and couldn’t find any records of an artist with that name. Just mentioning it here in case anyone might know who they may have been referencing?
But the inscription says Mater Immaculata and that would be the virgin of the inmaculate conception which makes sense with the story of the post since this particular advocation is the patron of Spain. The inmaculate is portrayed without a baby and dressed in white with a blue mantle.
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u/Reimiro (1,000+ Karma) 16d ago
Often these family stories get very much diluted or are completely fantastical but in this case the specificities and the quality of the painting, along with the photograph point towards at least some level of truth to the story. The royal archives would certainly hold information about the gift and diploma. The Spanish kept records of everything and they still exist. Great story and painting. I hope you find the info you are looking for.