Aureliano de Beruete Madrid 1845-1912

Acquired by the great-grandfather of the present owner; thence by descent

Original canvas. There are no signs of retouching under ultraviolet light. Apart from a pinhole to the left of the extreme upper edge and some flecks of paint loss to the lower left, this work is in good original condition, with strong surface and rich tones. Held in a decorative, gold-painted moulded plaster and wood 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."

Painted circa 1904, Beruete's dramatic view over the Tajo river is a previously unrecorded version of the same scene of smaller dimensions that the artist painted around the same time.

A close acquaintance with Joaquín Sorolla, the vertiginous bird's eye view that Beruete selected for the present composition bears comparison with the acutely angled position from which Sorolla painted the city's Alcántara bridge two years later. But while it was the bridge's ancient stone structure and the traffic passing across it that interested Sorolla, for Beruete it was the sweeping austerity of the view over the natural landscape, devoid of human presence, and the enigmatic shadows cast across the deep gorge that inspired his brush.

Beruete's depiction of the Castilian landscape such as the present work earnt him iconic status with the Generación del 98. Toledo's dramatic topography and its role as the ancient capital of Spain had particular resonance for the group of writers and intellectuals who championed Spain's cultural revival at the turn of the century.   

Trained as a lawyer and an active politician, Beruete was also a writer, author of studies on Velázquez and Sorolla and a keen art collector, his acquisitions ranging from works by El Greco to examples by his contemporaries such as José Jiménez Aranda and Joaquín Sorolla. Beruete's style was founded on Spain's rich artistic heritage, notably the sketching style of Francisco de Goya and Velázquez. An inveterate traveller, Beruete was also keenly aware of the stylistic currents of the day and assimilated Realist and plein air techniques into the representations of his Spanish subjects.