Unveiling 'Belleza, lujo y clasicismo': An Exhibition of 18th-Century Miniature Portraiture and Classicist Aesthetics

This exhibition presents a powder compact (CE26306) from the late 18th to early 19th century, showcasing the acceptance of classicist aesthetics. The piece uniquely combines a cosmetic object for women with a miniature portrait, attributed to Valencian painter Agustín Esteve.

The 'Piece of the Month' for October and November 2023 highlights a remarkable powder compact (CE26306) that exemplifies the classicist aesthetic prevalent from the late 18th to the early 19th century. This piece is notable for its dual function: serving as a vanity object for women's grooming and as a collector's item due to the miniature portrait of a lady adorning its upper surface. Powder compacts were essential vanity items from antiquity, used to hold makeup powders. This particular compact features a circular box with a miniature portrait inserted within a gold frame, showcasing the technique of creating easily transportable, private portraits. The miniature is attributed to Agustín Esteve (1753-1820), a Valencian painter who worked closely with Francisco de Goya and served as court painter to Charles IV. Esteve was renowned for his ability as a miniaturist, with correspondences detailing his skill in capturing likenesses. The lady depicted in this miniature is identified as María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva, the 13th Duchess of Alba, who was famously portrayed by both Goya and Esteve. The portrait also reflects the fashion of the era, with the lady dressed in a neoclassical gown and sporting the curly hair and rouge fashionable at the turn of the century.

This is a 'Piece of the Month' feature, likely accessible with general museum admission. Specific ticketing details are not provided on this page. Visitors are directed to the official website for more information.