36
Francisco Gomez de Valencia (Granada 1657 - Mexico, first half of the 18th century)
In Millésime 24
1/7
Description
Francisco Gomez de Valencia (Granada 1657 - Mexico, first half of the 18th century)
"Memento Mori"
Oil on burlap. Signed and dated 1681 on the back.
140 x 107 cm.
An exquisite depiction of the transience of existence, painted by Francisco Gómez de Valencia and dated 1681 on the back of the canvas: "Franc• Gomez fat. año [year] 1681".
This Spanish Baroque painter, born in Granada in 1657, was the son of the painter Felipe Gómez de Valencia and followed his father's style as a member of the family workshop, one of the most active Granada workshops in the second half of the 17th century, influenced, like many others of the period, by Alonso Cano, "el Racionero" who was artistically dominant at the time.
In 1679, his father passed away, and he took over the workshop until at least 1685, the date of the last documented appearance of the painter in Granada. The oil painting we have here for auction dates from this period.
Professors Gloria Espinosa and María Teresa Suárez, in a recent and highly interesting article (2023) in which they reveal new documentary sources about the artist's biography and a previously unknown canvas, conclude that "Francisco Gómez de Valencia must have arrived in Mexico around 1687" and not in 1699, as previously thought in other studies. The painter, after three undocumented years, reappears in 1688 in Mexico City, in a document which reports on his genealogy, previously unknown until the publication of said article. Further information provided by Espinosa and Suárez regarding the Granadan painter is from 1693 when he was appointed Family of the Holy Inquisition, a position that provided economic stability, "in addition to the promotion and social prestige he desired," reasons why he is likely to have left his home town. The last piece of information about Gómez de Valencia, also in New Spain, dates back to 1711 where his delicate health at the age of 54 is documented.
Of his probable extensive production, eleven canvases are currently kept in the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada —among them, the "Virgin of Sorrows" and the "Lamentation before Dead Christ," with clear influences from his father, from Flemish painters, and "el Racionero" — and the "Assumption of the Virgin" in the National Museum of San Carlos, Mexico. In addition, we would like to highlight the "Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple," attributed by Raquel Prados in 1999, and another artwork which was unknown until last year when Espinosa and Suárez brought it to light. It is an "Ascension of Christ," which is reproduced in the aforementioned article, and is kept in the National Center for Conservation and Registration of Movable Artistic Heritage of Mexico, where, along with more than five hundred paintings, it had remained shut up in the so-called 'Pandora's Box' for almost half a century. For more information, please refer to the article, which we cite in the bibliography.
To these two canvases, we now add the "Memento Mori" presented in this auction, further enriching a catalog that surely has much more to discover. It is essential to note that our painting is dated, unlike most of his corpus, allowing us to place it with total certainty in Granada, as in 1681, as Raquel Prados reports, he "resided in Placeta de Chavarría with his mother, brothers, and Ana de Valencia, his wife." By that time, in fact, our painter had already taken over the family workshop two years earlier and had taken on the commissions that Felipe Gómez de Valencia had left behind orphaned.
In this painting we can appreciate the sense of sweetness in colours and an ease in drawing that he inherited from his father. With delicate strokes, he captures a baroque, theatrical scene, almost like a meditation from cell in a convent, in a still life, indoor setting.
The human soul or guardian angel reminds a repentant knight of the transience of life, emphasising the vanity of existence. In a room with a bed and canopy, the praying figure is led by the song of the angel, who hints with a pointing hand that nature decomposes, but that the soul can be immortal; it shows him a still life full of symbols: at the centre a skull or skeleton shines, a "memento mori," a reminder that death is inevitable; an hourglass reminds him of the passage of time; it rests on a book, which traditionally alludes to excessive pride in learning. But everything passes.
And after these, other objects allude hopefully to the afterlife. The painting has a moralistic message that encourages the viewer to consider their own mortality and how they live their life. This still life compares the vain nature of mortal life with the possibility of eternal life. The Cross is presented as the purpose of his commitment, as well as the rosary that will allow him to live in prayer, and the whip hanging from the table, inviting him to live in penance and mortification.
It seems that the painter is devoted to the Virgin Mary, whom he places above, being crowned as Queen and Lady by the Holy Trinity.
To conclude, this serene painting does not suggest decay or sadness but carries a legacy of hopeful aspirations beyond life itself.
Reference bibliography:
- Espinosa Spínola, Gloria y Suárez Molina, María Teresa. (2023). Francisco Gómez de Valencia, un pintor del siglo XVII entre Granada y México. “Boletín de Arte-UMA”, n.º 44, Departamento de Historia del Arte, Universidad de Málaga, pp. 75-85. https://dx.doi.org/10.24310/ba.44.2023.16195
- Prados, Raquel. (1999). Un lienzo inédito de Francisco Gómez de Valencia. “Cuadernos De Arte De La Universidad De Granada”, 30, 303–310. https://revistaseug.ugr.es/index.php/caug/article/view/9101
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Francisco Gomez de Valencia (Granada 1657 - Mexico, first half of the 18th century)
"Memento Mori"
Oil on burlap. Signed and dated 1681 on the back.
140 x 107 cm.
An exquisite depiction of the transience of existence, painted by Francisco Gómez de Valencia and dated 1681 on the back of the canvas: "Franc• Gomez fat. año [year] 1681".
This Spanish Baroque painter, born in Granada in 1657, was the son of the painter Felipe Gómez de Valencia and followed his father's style as a member of the family workshop, one of the most active Granada workshops in the second half of the 17th century, influenced, like many others of the period, by Alonso Cano, "el Racionero" who was artistically dominant at the time.
In 1679, his father passed away, and he took over the workshop until at least 1685, the date of the last documented appearance of the painter in Granada. The oil painting we have here for auction dates from this period.
Professors Gloria Espinosa and María Teresa Suárez, in a recent and highly interesting article (2023) in which they reveal new documentary sources about the artist's biography and a previously unknown canvas, conclude that "Francisco Gómez de Valencia must have arrived in Mexico around 1687" and not in 1699, as previously thought in other studies. The painter, after three undocumented years, reappears in 1688 in Mexico City, in a document which reports on his genealogy, previously unknown until the publication of said article. Further information provided by Espinosa and Suárez regarding the Granadan painter is from 1693 when he was appointed Family of the Holy Inquisition, a position that provided economic stability, "in addition to the promotion and social prestige he desired," reasons why he is likely to have left his home town. The last piece of information about Gómez de Valencia, also in New Spain, dates back to 1711 where his delicate health at the age of 54 is documented.
Of his probable extensive production, eleven canvases are currently kept in the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada —among them, the "Virgin of Sorrows" and the "Lamentation before Dead Christ," with clear influences from his father, from Flemish painters, and "el Racionero" — and the "Assumption of the Virgin" in the National Museum of San Carlos, Mexico. In addition, we would like to highlight the "Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple," attributed by Raquel Prados in 1999, and another artwork which was unknown until last year when Espinosa and Suárez brought it to light. It is an "Ascension of Christ," which is reproduced in the aforementioned article, and is kept in the National Center for Conservation and Registration of Movable Artistic Heritage of Mexico, where, along with more than five hundred paintings, it had remained shut up in the so-called 'Pandora's Box' for almost half a century. For more information, please refer to the article, which we cite in the bibliography.
To these two canvases, we now add the "Memento Mori" presented in this auction, further enriching a catalog that surely has much more to discover. It is essential to note that our painting is dated, unlike most of his corpus, allowing us to place it with total certainty in Granada, as in 1681, as Raquel Prados reports, he "resided in Placeta de Chavarría with his mother, brothers, and Ana de Valencia, his wife." By that time, in fact, our painter had already taken over the family workshop two years earlier and had taken on the commissions that Felipe Gómez de Valencia had left behind orphaned.
In this painting we can appreciate the sense of sweetness in colours and an ease in drawing that he inherited from his father. With delicate strokes, he captures a baroque, theatrical scene, almost like a meditation from cell in a convent, in a still life, indoor setting.
The human soul or guardian angel reminds a repentant knight of the transience of life, emphasising the vanity of existence. In a room with a bed and canopy, the praying figure is led by the song of the angel, who hints with a pointing hand that nature decomposes, but that the soul can be immortal; it shows him a still life full of symbols: at the centre a skull or skeleton shines, a "memento mori," a reminder that death is inevitable; an hourglass reminds him of the passage of time; it rests on a book, which traditionally alludes to excessive pride in learning. But everything passes.
And after these, other objects allude hopefully to the afterlife. The painting has a moralistic message that encourages the viewer to consider their own mortality and how they live their life. This still life compares the vain nature of mortal life with the possibility of eternal life. The Cross is presented as the purpose of his commitment, as well as the rosary that will allow him to live in prayer, and the whip hanging from the table, inviting him to live in penance and mortification.
It seems that the painter is devoted to the Virgin Mary, whom he places above, being crowned as Queen and Lady by the Holy Trinity.
To conclude, this serene painting does not suggest decay or sadness but carries a legacy of hopeful aspirations beyond life itself.
Reference bibliography:
- Espinosa Spínola, Gloria y Suárez Molina, María Teresa. (2023). Francisco Gómez de Valencia, un pintor del siglo XVII entre Granada y México. “Boletín de Arte-UMA”, n.º 44, Departamento de Historia del Arte, Universidad de Málaga, pp. 75-85. https://dx.doi.org/10.24310/ba.44.2023.16195
- Prados, Raquel. (1999). Un lienzo inédito de Francisco Gómez de Valencia. “Cuadernos De Arte De La Universidad De Granada”, 30, 303–310. https://revistaseug.ugr.es/index.php/caug/article/view/9101
Millésime 24
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 73
Venue Address
Conde de Salvatierra, 8
Barcelona
08006
Spain
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
The purchase price includes the delivery of the lots in the venue of the auction. Transporting to other destinations is at the own risk of the client. The customer must contact "LST", to give the corresponding instructions for such transporting. "LST" is not responsible for the packaging or any accident incurred during transportation.
Important Information
Once again, we start the year with a special auction, called Millésime.
A catalog of 73 lots of European, Novo-Hispanic and Vicerregal art, so spanish americas art, where you will find paintings, furniture, decorative arts etc.
We hope you enjoy it!!
Terms & Conditions
CONDITIONS OF THE AUCTION:
I. REGISTRATION. To bid in the room customers must register at the beginning, filling out a form and picking a number that will identify them during the auction. Customers may be required to register in bank references or other guarantee system and if they do not prove the solvency "LST" will not accept bids and award the auction.
II. WRITTEN BIDS. "LST" will accept written bids, which will be formalized in the form provided by the room until the day before the auction. In such auctions, the room will bid in name of the client until the maximum stated in the offer and always at the lowest possible price. If there are two or more bids for the same amount, the one placed first will have the priority. Written bids received in advance, will have priority on the day of the auction.
III. TELEPHONE BIDS. "LST" will allow telephone bids, if interested people contact "LST" days before the auction providing personal data, ID card and the phone number which will be used by the staff of "LST" to call at the time of the auction. The buyer, within all the legal rights is making an offer for the asking price, when applies for telephone bid. "LST" will not take responsibility for any technical defects beyond its control, which may prevent to contact successfully the bidder during the auction.
IV. AUCTIONEER. The auction will be conducted by an auctioneer, director of the auction will be judge and arbitrator of it with full authority in its development, will award the lots to the highest bidder and is able to settle any controversy concerning lots sale, reject bids, divide lots or group them and remover objects from the room. Will be able to, if it is deemed suitable, not accept bids on the auction. His decision will be unappealable.
V. SALE OF LOTS. The lots are awarded to the highest bidder. Once the auctioneer blows the hammer, the buyer becomes responsible of the lot purchased, exempting "LST" of liability to for any damage and / or accidents that may occur. No refunds of lots.
VI. STARTING PRICE. The amount shown in the catalogue as the starting price for each lot will be, as a rule, the minimum selling price, except for exceptional cases where a reservation may be agreed upon with the seller or it set discretionary by the room.
VII. SCALE OF BIDS. The bids are set according to the following scale:
From 50.-€ to 200.-€…………………………………………..at 10.-€
From 200.-€ to 500.-€…………………………………… …25 in 25.-€
From 500.-€ to 1.000.-€………………………………..…..….50 in 50.-€
From 1.000.-€ to 2.000.-€………………………………..…100 in 100.-€
From 2.000.-€ to 5.000.-€……………………………….….250 in 250.-€
From 5.000.-€ to 10.000.-€…………………………………500 in 500.-€
From 10.000.-€ to 20.000.-€……………………………1.000 in 1.000.-€
From 20.000.-€ to 50.000.-€……………………………2.500 in 2.500.-€
From 50.000.-€ to 100.000.-€…………………………..5.000 in 5.000.-€
From 100.000.-€ to 100.000.-€………………………10.000 in 10.000.-€
From 200.000.-€ to 200.000.-€………………………25.000 in 25.000.-€
From 500.000.-€ to 500.000.-€………………………50.000 in 50.000.-€
VIII. RIGHT OF ADMISION. "LST" reserves the right to admission to the auction room and to reject, at its judgment, any purchase order, from clients whose solvency is not duly proved as well as not to sale auctions.
IX. SALE PRICES. The successful bidder of one or more lots must pay "LST" the final sale price achieves at auction, plus the 24,5 % plus 21% VAT on the commission.
X. CATALOG DATA. The catalogue data are obtained in order to careful research and advice, however, any responsibility is afforded about its accuracy. The lots will be auctioned in the state in which they are, not accepting any claims in restorations, breakage, damage, imperfections and, even description or numbering mistakes in the catalogue, in case of it, being the burden of the buyers to make sure before the auction that the description matches with their personal opinion about respective lot. The exhibition of the lots is intended to allow a perfect review and study of them.
XI. PAYMENT AND REMOVAL OF LOTS. Payment and removal of the lots will be held no later than five days following the auction. After this period expire without having the buyer removed the lot or lots purchases, it will accrue an expense of custody of 6 euros per day on each lot.
15 days after the auction without having the buyer paid and removes the sold lots, "LST" will inform the seller and there will begin judicial proceeding in order to obtain payment. The delay in payment by the purchaser of his/her sold lots will carry an interest increase at a rate of 1,5% per month.
XII. DELIVERY OF LOTS. The purchase price includes the delivery of the lots in the venue of the auction. Transporting to other destinations is at the own risk of the client. The customer must contact "LST", to give the corresponding instructions for such transporting. "LST" is not responsible for the packaging or any accident incurred during transportation.
XIII. RIGHT OF FIRT REFUSAL AND REPURCHASE. "LST" in order to article 38 of "Ley 16/1985 de 25 Junio del Patrimonio Histórico Español" (BOE. 155 June 29, 1985), will notify in advance to the Ministry of Culture, the content of their catalogues. Concerning the lots subject to the legislation referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Administration may exercise the rights of first refusal and repurchase according to the law. "LST" will watch over the protection of Artistic, Historical and Bibliographical Heritage of Spain. For customers out of European Community, a tax for export is required by the Administration.
XIV. VALUE ADDED TAX (I.V.A). This tax will be accrued on commissions of "LST" for buyers, using the rates prevailing on the date of the auction.
XV. DATA PROTECTION. In order to the "Ley 15/1999 de 13 de Diciembre, de Protección de Datos de Carácter Personal", the client authorize "LST", the inclusion of their data in a customer file, and for the promotion by "LST" of the objects at all times the rights of access, rectification or deletion of personal data by sending the appropriate request to the following address: LA SUITE SUBASTAS, C/ Conde Salvatierra, 8, 08006. Barcelona.
XVI. EXPRESS LEGAL JURISDICTION. These Conditions are governed by and interpreted in accordance with the rules of Spanish law. The mere act of participating in the auction as seller, buyer or bidder, implies acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
Sales operations are understood to be held at the registered office of "LST", C/ Conde de Salvatierra, 8, 08006. Any dispute shall be taken to the competent courts of Barcelona, expressly waiving any other jurisdiction, in accordance with Article 55 of the "Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil".
