The artwork titled “Bartholomew Sureda y Miserol” is an oil on canvas portrait dating from approximately 1804 to 1806, measuring 119.7 cm by 79.4 cm. This painting is the work of the esteemed artist Francisco Goya, a pivotal figure in the Romanticism art movement. This genre portrait is housed within the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, US.
In this artwork, Goya depicts Bartholomew Sureda y Miserol, a man presented with an air of restrained dignity. The subject’s gaze is direct, engaging the viewer with a serene yet inquisitive look, a testament to Goya’s skill in capturing psychological depth. The palette is notable for its restrained use of color, focusing on the neutral tones of the subject’s attire, set against the dark background that serves to highlight his face and hands. Bartholomew Sureda is dressed in a double-breasted coat of a muted green shade with a white, cravat-like neck cloth. The most striking element is the red lining of his black hat, which he holds in one hand; this subtle inclusion of color adds a depth to the composition. Goya’s brushwork and the play of light and shadow on the face and clothing demonstrate his deftness in rendering texture and form as well as conveying the presence and character of the sitter. The artwork exemplifies the Romantic penchant for emphasizing individuality and emotional expressiveness, qualities that Goya has masterfully captured in his portrait of Sureda.