José Villegas Cordero

Sale: Sotheby's, New York, 17 February 1993, lot 30
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Caroline Juler, Les Orientalistes de l'école italienne, Paris, 1987, p. 277, illustrated
José Villegas Cordero (1844-1921), exh. cat., Seville & Cordoba, 2001, p. 322, no. 23, catalogued & illustrated

The canvas has an old fine relining. Ultra-violet light reveals a thin horizontal circa 24cm repaired tear in the lower-left of the composition, in the carpet and feet of the man, and only a handful of other minor scattered signs of retouching primarily near the framing edges. Some of the lighter-coloured pigments in the foliage fluoresce green under ultra-violet light however these certainly appear to be the artist's originals and not retouching. This painting is in good condition and its appearance could be enhanced with a light surface clean as the varnish has yellowed over time. The colours are warmer and somewhat yellower overall (owing to the varnish) in reality than in the catalogue illustration. Presented in a gilt Spanish-style frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In this tour de force of sumptuous indolence, a warrior rests in a mafraj (lounge) in a corner of the Alhambra Palace, serenaded by a beautiful young mandolin player. He is surrounded by all the accoutrements he could desire, smoking a pipe, a coffee pot by his side, and an incense burner by his feet releasing scent into the languid air. Resting on the headboard behind him is his flintlock pistol, and in his hilt rests his kindjal dagger in its bejewelled case. Above, an explosion of pampas grass flowers create a sheltering canopy over the two figures.

Inspired by Spain's rich Moorish heritage, the present work forms part of a series of works set in the Alhambra Palace in Villegas's native Andalusia (see also fig. 1). Villegas studied at the School of Fine Arts of Seville before being sent by his patron, the Marques de Polavieja, to Madrid to study under Federico de Madrazo, Eduardo Rosales, and Mariano Fortuny. It was Fortuny who introduced Villegas to the Orientalist genre and at whose prompting he travelled to Morocco with Francisco Peralta de Campo. In the present work the Alhambra forms the perfect backdrop for the costumes, carpets, weapons and objects he would have seen and recorded on his travels.