José María Velasco (1840-1912)

bidding is closed

Description

José María Velasco
El Valle de México desde el Cerro de Santa Isabel (The Valley of Mexico from the hillside of Santa Isabel)
signed and dated 1882 lower left
17 3/4 by 25 in.
(45.2 by 63.5 cm)

oil on canvas

Provenance

Private Collection, Germany

Catalogue Note

José María Velasco was Mexico's most famous nineteenth century landscape painter and his view of the valley of Mexico from the hillside of Santa Isabel is considered one of his greatest masterpieces.

The present work is based on a monumental panoramic painting of the same view Velasco executed in 1875 which is in the collection of the Museo Nacional de Arte in Mexico City. A smaller version, also dated 1875, is in the collection of the Národní Muzeum in Prague, Czech Republic. The monumental version was exhibited in Mexico and Europe where it was awarded prizes. It was so popular that Velasco executed smaller versions for private collectors as is the case with the present work.

María Elena Altamirano