La Fuensanta
1929 painting by Julio Romero de Torres
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La Fuensanta is a portrait painting by Spanish artist Julio Romero de Torres depicting María Teresa López González, one of Torres' models. Gonzalez is depicted with her arms resting on a copper cauldron. The painting was made in the autumn of 1929, when Torres completed another two artworks, La Chiquita Piconera and Bodegas Cruz Conde.[1] "Fuensanta" is a Spanish girl’s name that means "holy fountain."
| La Fuensanta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Artist | Julio Romero de Torres |
| Year | 1929 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 100 cm × 80 cm (39 in × 31 in) |
| Location | Private collection |
Born in Argentina, González moved with her family to Torres' native town of Córdoba after World War I.[2] After she first sat for Torres at the age of fourteen, González became one of his favourite models whose likeness is most closely associated to Torres.[2] According to Sotheby's, the work has been "proclaimed as a quintessential rendition of Andalucian beauty".[2] It was depicted for 25 years on the 100 peseta banknote.
Provenance
The provenance of La Fuensanta has been largely unknown since 1930, when it was exhibited at the Ibero-American Exposition in Seville. In 1994, the painting was bought by an Argentine citizen. In November 2007, La Fuensanta was sold by Sotheby's to a private buyer.[3] The Spanish Ministry of Culture tried to purchase the painting from Sotheby's, but the auction price of €1,173,400 euros was too high.[4]
La Fuensanta on the reverse of 100 pesetas, 1953
