José Gallegos y Arnosa (Spanish, 1859-1917)


The signing of the marriage contract signed, inscribed and dated 'Gallegos/ Roma 1889' (lower right)oil on panel23 3/4 x 36in (60.5 x 91.5cm)
|Originally from Jerez de la Frontera in the Andalusian region of Cadiz, Gallegos pursued his art education in Madrid in 1873 under the distinguished Raimundo Madrazo, and traveled to North Africa soon after, attracted by the light and exotic subjects.By 1880 he made his home in Rome, where he found great commercial success alongside other Spanish-born artists, including Juan Pablo Salinas, José Benlliure y Gil and Salvador Sánchez Barbudo. The artist's international fame was secured in part through participation in the great World Fairs of his era. At the Berlin International Art Fair of 1891 he received the gold medal for one of the three church-themed paintings he exhibited. Gallegos' early training in architecture continued to influence his work, which frequently depicts finely detailed interiors of Spanish cathedrals and Italian Renaissance churches. The present painting shows Gallegos' talent for capturing the subdued light, filtered through the stained glass windows of the church and his mastery depictions of materials; the delicacy of the bride's lace veil, the worn velvet of the chairs and the carved wooden interior decoration.Gallegos was one of the most sought after artists of his day, represented by such well-known dealers as Arthur Tooth in London and collected by William Randolph Hearst in the United States.