Provenance:
Don Pedro Alejandro Paterno (1857– 1911)
and Doña Luisa Piñeyro de Lugo y Merino
(Sra de Paterno, d. 1897)

Exhibited:
Exposicion General de Las Islas Filipinas, 1887,
Palacio de Cristal, Parque de Retiro, Madrid;
Exposicion Historico-Americana, 1892 alongside the Exposicion
Historico-Europe, Palacio de Biblioteca y Museos Nacionales
(National Library and Museums) 1892, Parque de Madrid
(formerly Parque de Retiro), Madrid
Exposicion Historico-Natural y Etnográfica, Madrid, 1893

Literature: A photograph of the Exposicion 1892. Collection of Don Pedro Paterno.

ABOUT THE WORK

frock immortalized in the painting, as well as heavy gold linked chain with a pendant. Hidalgo has captured her wasp-waisted, dressed in rich striped taffeta. There are dark velvet cuffs; precious lace, the aristocratic signal of status may be glimpsed at her throat in a modest ruff; more spilling out of her sleeves. There is a carefully detailed gold bracelet, and diamonds (pulseras). She clasps a fan and probably what are her favorite flowers. lace handkerchief. (One presumes that the jewelry are all gifts of a gallant Paterno.) What makes this portrait even more beguiling is that Luisa, a most Spanish beauty, is situated amid a most European forest, a romantic glen between pale sky and a glistening river — but sits on a bamboo chair, the most Filipino of flora — and that would be found in the near future in the exhibitions of the Exposicion General de las islas Filipinas, and the many other important expos organized by Pedro Paterno. Even more enchanting is its appearance in a photograph of the Exposicion of 1892 — which would mirror the same delights as the very first one in 1887 : There hanging on the left wall, unmistakably is the Hidalgo portrait of Señorita Luisa; on the next wall, the Luna opus, “España y Filipinas” that was first commissioned by Paterno; and in various arrangements are the other art pieces and objects to be found in this auction, including the Benlliure bust of Pedro Paterno.