JOSÉ SÁDABA RAMOS (Andalusia, 19th century). "Granada... Lot 19

JOSÉ SÁDABA RAMOS (Andalusia, 19th century). "Granada courtyard". Watercolour on paper. Signed and located in the lower right corner. Measurements: 74 x 43 cm; 89 x 58 cm (paspartu). Artist specialised in the realisation of scenes from Granada, on this occasion José Sádaba offers us an Andalusian courtyard bathed by the burning sunlight. The artist enriches the work with an expressive play of light contrasts, capturing the light of Granada with great skill. Traditionally, Spanish painting and literature have been interested in popular customs and types. The arrival of Romanticism enlivened this trend, bringing to the Hispanic tradition the vision that foreigners had of our people, due to the snobbery of a Europeanising and liberal national bourgeoisie which, also due to foreign influence and under the Romantic fashion, turned its eyes to the people and monuments of the past. This, which was general throughout Spain, was particularly prevalent in Andalusia, as this land was the dream destination of foreigners, and where the influence of the vision they had of the Spaniards and their peculiar customs had to be felt most strongly. Thus, painters from Andalusia and other Spanish regions turned their gaze to the landscape, types and customs of southern Spain, collectively constructing an idyllic and luminous image, full of grace and joy, which coincided with the romantic recreation of the urban bourgeoisie, both national and foreign.