José Gallegos y Arnosa, Spanish 1857-1917-  Two views of Venice: The Ca’ d’ Oro Pala

Lot description

José Gallegos y Arnosa, Spanish 1857-1917- Two views of Venice: The Ca’ d’ Oro Palace; and On the Canal; the first oil on panel, the second oil on canvas, the first signed, inscribed and dated 'JGallegos / Venecia, 83' (lower left), the second signed and dated 'J Gallegos / 1883' (lower right), each 40 x 26 cm., a pair (2). Provenance: with Williams & Son, London [nos 19358 and 19359]. The collection of Baron Stanley Kalms (1931-2025); Thence by descent. Note: José Gallegos y Arnosa began his artistic training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid under the tutelage of the distinguished painter Raimundo Madrazo (1841-1920). At the Academy, he developed what would later become his acclaimed ability to render complex compositions imbued with a masterful sense of colour and light. Gallegos's talents were apparent early on, leading the director of the Academy to write a letter to the aspiring artist's father, which encouraged the elder to allow his son to abandon his forced architectural studies and to embrace his dream of becoming a painter. The artist's father consented and Gallegos was permitted to dedicate himself full time to painting, although his grounding in architecture continued to influence his work. Gallegos was one of the most sought after artists of his day, represented by such well-known dealers as Arthur Tooth in London and collected by William Randolph Hearst in the United States.