Vicente Albán (attr.) [Quito (Ecuador), 1723 - after 1796]
The Marriage Proposal
ca. 1783/1785
Oil on canvas
Oil on canvas
78.3 x 97.2 cm
Provenance
Provenance: Louis Hermann Collection (1877 - 1959), presumed to have been obtained by his sister Amélie (1883 - 1954) and brother-in-law Enrique Freymann (1888 - 1954), cultural attaché in Mexico, then by descent
This exceptional painting, by Vicente Albán (Quito, ca. 1723-1796) attr., offers a sophisticated portrayal of social stratification in the late Audience of Quito. The scene depicts a marriage proposal, where the contrasting attire and positioning of a Creole woman, her native elite future bride, and a dark-skinned suitor illustrate the complexities of race and class within 18th-century viceregal society. Albán’s attention to detail, particularly in the intricacies of clothing and gesture, emphasizes the nuanced social dynamics of the period. The work provides a rare and insightful perspective into the cultural and societal hierarchies of the time, marking it as a significant contribution to the art of the Viceroyalty of New Granada.
READ ESSAY 1
READ ESSAY 2