Retrato De Joaquín José Melgarejo Y Saurín 1843

This is a portrait of Joaquín José Melgarejo y Saurín, made by Rosario Weiss Zorrilla. We don't know when. But we know that Weiss Zorrilla was a woman artist working in 19th century Spain, a context that very much shaped her opportunities. This image provides a fascinating glimpse into the social codes of the Spanish Aristocracy. Melgarejo, a duke, is seen with his wife, both dressed in formal attire that speaks to their elevated social status. The Duke's military dress alludes to the power structures of the time, while his wife's elaborate dress speaks to the economics of aristocratic life. Weiss Zorrilla's own position as an artist is worth considering. What institutions trained her? How did she negotiate the male-dominated art world of her time? These are questions that can be explored through archival research, studies of patronage, and close readings of her other works. When we consider these questions, art becomes a window into a complex, unequal society.