Alcázar of Seville, Orientalist oil painting by Hidalgo

Painted by the Spanish painter Fernando Liger Hidalgo (1880-1945), this oil painting depicts a part of the Alcázar of Seville.

Set in the Palace of King Peter, the artist beautifully depicted numerous details of the space, making the painting appear like a photograph. Hidalgo’s work is superbly painted with neutral shades of brown and cream predominating. More vibrant colours are also visible in the Islamic, geometric green tile design or the bright blue and red wall paintings. In the distance orange, green, and red wall coverings are also portrayed. In the middle of the courtyard, the artist depicted a plant pot standing next to a small fountain full of water. Nearby is a polychrome rug with a red cushion decorated with gold tassels.

The buildings are designed in the Mudéjar style, predominantly used in Iberian Christian kingdoms between the 13th and 16th centuries. Between 1364 and 1366, King Peter commissioned Arab and Berber craftsmen to work for him, the result of their work being the Palace depicted by Hidalgo. King Peter valued the Muslim architectural legacy and wanted to celebrate it in the newly built part of the Alcázar of Seville.

The Alcázar of Seville was built in the 11th century when Muslim authorities wanted to build a fortress to protect the city. It was built for the Christian King Peter of Castile by Castilian Christians. Various parts of the castle grounds are built in different styles because they were designed in various historical periods.

The painting is framed in a beautifully carved giltwood frame and signed in the lower right 'F. Liger Hidalgo / Sevilla'.

Paintings of this type were bought as souvenirs of travels, immortalising one’s memory of a special trip to distant lands.

An almost identical painting by Tomas Aceves (lot 67) sold at Sotheby’s London on 25th April 2023 for £27,940.

Canvas: Height 61cm, width 45cm
Frame: Height 81cm, width 66.5cm, depth 6cm