Ženíšek František 1849–1916

The Infanta

oil, canvas, frame, restored, 43 × 32,5 cm, label Rubeš Gallery Prague 1 Národní třída 37 on the reverse, on canvas Velazquez, 1941
Oil paintings by František Ženíšek appear at auctions only rarely, as they are usually an integral part of older public gallery collections. A prominent member of the renowned National Theatre Generation, he was recognized above all as an excellent draughtsman and colourist, following the ideals of Renaissance perfection. His portraits were distinguished by their precise technical execution and soulful expression. Such is the case, for example, with the Portrait of René Descartes and the Infanta painted after Diego Velasquez, the original of which was in the collections of the royal family in Madrid. The groom thus declared his belonging to the great masters of history and lived up to them. He wonderfully captured the incarnation, the pink hues and vermilion accents.