Juan María Osorio
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.Esteve, a collaborator of Goya’s, also produced a series of portraits of members of the Altamira family. The inscription in this portrait identifies the sitter as Juan María Osorio, the middle brother of Vicente and Manuel. Born on August 28, 1780, he barely lived past infancy, dying in 1785.
This portrait was probably commissioned before the boy died, and only completed afterward. Esteve includes symbols referring to the child’s death, such as the flying bird and the open cage inscribed "DIOS" (God).
This portrait was probably commissioned before the boy died, and only completed afterward. Esteve includes symbols referring to the child’s death, such as the flying bird and the open cage inscribed "DIOS" (God).
Artwork Details
- Title: Juan María Osorio
- Artist: Augustín Esteve y Marques (Spanish, Valencia 1753–ca. 1820 Madrid (?))
- Date: ca. 1786
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 47 1/4 × 33 in. (120 × 83.8 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the Hanna Fund, 1946.431
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings