March 8, 2007

Global Seminars & Invited Speaker Series

PAINTING AND HISTORY

Painting history to learn to live

Dr. Carlos Reyero.
Autonomous University of Madrid

History painting is the genre that enjoyed the highest academic prestige in the art system during the nineteenth century. We analyzed, first, the aesthetic and social causes that explain this high regard, particularly through its relationship with national Fine Arts exhibitions; second, the political ideals that society saw reflected in these paintings; and third, the role that history painting represented as an instrument of sentimental Education .

The images that illustrate lecture include both the great paintings of the genre, which have remained in the collective report for generations, and the themes of the history of Navarre, which enjoyed a critical fortune, visible not only in some decorative ensembles (Palace of Navarre), but also a source of inspiration for painters of various origins.

Eduardo Rosales, The Testament of Isabella the Catholic, 1864.

Francisco Pradilla, The Surrender of Granada, 1882

Joaquín Espalter, Rise of the first king of Navarre, 1861.