*This painting is sold but the artist is regularly available in our inventory		José Gallegos Y Arnosa* Spanish, 1859 – 1917 After Dinner Oil on panel 9 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches (24.8 x 35 cm) Signed: J. Gallegos, Roma MIXO During his youth, José Gallegos Y Arnosa was the pupil of the celebrated Spanish master, Federigo de Madrazo Y Kuntz (1815-1894), who had returned triumphantly from Paris after having received numerous important awards at the salon, to become Director of the National Gallery in Madrid. Having lived in Paris, the European “melting pot” for the arts at the time, and having received every conceivable and worthwhile award, Madrazo was well placed to teach his eager and finest young student. Arnosa exhibited successfully in Madrid from 1880, and then traveled to Italy where he painted views in a number of cities, particularly the canals of Venice. Upon his return to Spain, he turned his interest almost entirely to figure painting, frequently showing the ceremonial quality of Spanish church life. Many of these works were executed inside the cathedrals of Seville and Madrid. The quality of his painting and his attention to detail were unsurpassed by all other artists in Europe. He created windows through which to view the world, and his paintings were quite often rather impressionistic, covered with generously applied impasto, to draw relief from the wood panels that he especially liked to work on. Owing to the degree of detail, he was not a prolific artist. Consequently his work is highly prized both by museums and private collectors. In our painting After Dinner, José Gallegos Y Arnosa has depicted three elderly men, peacefully enjoying a cup of tea, while they are continuing the conversation from dinner. Placed at the center of the painting, the three gentlemen are sitting in elegant chairs with high backs, forming a semi-circle. One of them has his back almost entirely to the viewer, which leaves the impression that the viewer is excluded from the gathering. Rather we are watching the exchange from the corner of the room. The meticulous detail and historical accuracy for which Arnosa was renowned is fully evident in this painting. The gentlemen are finely dressed in brilliantly colored silk brocades that create a beautiful contrast to the earthen tones of the interior setting.