19th-20th Century Spanish

Born in Madrid in 1852, Ricardo de Madrazo came from a long saga of prestigious artists: he was the son of Federico de Madrazo (1815-1894) and brother of Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta (1841-1920). Ricardo thus had the opportunity to grow up in a privileged environment, initially training at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts under his own father.

The marriage of his sister Cecilia with Mariano Fortuny (1838-1874) would mark his future trajectory. Ricardo lived with the couple in Rome until the demise of the painter, whose influence, both in technique and orientalist subject matters, was critical. While living in Rome he accompanied his brother-in-law and his brother to Paris, where he met the landscape painter Martín Rico (1833-1908).

After Fortuny’s death, Ricardo returned to Madrid. A journey to Morocco in 1877 was instrumental in consolidating his interest in Orientalism. In 1881 he spent a year in Venice, where he coincided once again with Martín Rico, with whom he painted a significant number of views of the city. In 1883 he moved back to Madrid, alternating his life there with trips to Tangiers and Paris. During that period, he was an active participant in various art events, including the 1884 in Madrid, where he won a Second Medal, and the 1889 Paris Expo where he obtained a Third Medal.

From that moment onward, following the family tradition, he specialised in portraiture, obtaining great success among high society for his excellent technique and his acute psychological insight, which allowed him to create highly realistic works.

The painter died in Madrid on 18 August 1917 at the age of sixty-five.