Lot 1555 Dα

Francisco Pradilla y Ortiz was one of the great Spanish genre and narrative painters of the 19th century. He was most well-known for his masterfully painted and dramatically composed historical scenes, which brought him great international success and many awards. For example in 1893 be received first prize at the International Art Exhibition in Munich for his work “The Capitulation of Granada” (today kept in the Palace of the Senate in Madrid). He was head of the Spanish Academy in Rome from 1881-1883 and later director of the Prado.
No watercolour of similar dimensions or depiction has appeared on the market since 1996 (Sotheby's Madrid, 23.4.1996). The piece shows a young woman in Spanish costume alighting the flower-strewn steps of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Behind her, a busy scene of pilgrims and beggars plays out in the entry portal in much the same way as it still does today.