This exhibition at the Museo Nacional del Romanticismo presents Domingos Sequeira, considered the most important Portuguese artist of his time, to the Spanish public for the first time. It showcases twenty-nine paintings and drawings that trace his artistic evolution from allegory and modernity to portraiture and religious themes, highlighting his mastery of drawing.
Presented at the Museo Nacional del Romanticismo, 'En el umbral de la modernidad. Domingos Sequeira. Un pintor portugués (1768-1837)' pays homage to Domingos Sequeira, a leading figure in Portuguese painting during the transition to Romanticism. This exhibition, part of the XI Mostra Portuguesa, marks his debut in Spain, introducing his rich artistic personality to a new audience. The carefully selected collection includes twenty-nine paintings and drawings, organized chronologically. The exhibition highlights Sequeira's early work in allegory, his evolution towards modern imagery, his extensive practice in portraiture, and his later mature works painted in France and Italy. Notably, the exhibition features designs for various objects, including silver tableware designs gifted to Lord Wellington. Sequeira's profound skill as a draftsman is emphasized, with a significant presence of works on paper demonstrating his expressive freedom.
The exhibition concludes by examining his later religious-themed works, characterized by increasingly abstract expression and the use of simple 'stains' of color. Sequeira's stature is compared to that of his Spanish contemporary, Goya, underscoring his importance in the European art landscape of his time. The exhibition was inaugurated on November 11, 2013, and runs until February 2, 2014.