Seated Man in Profile 1869

Mariano Fortuny Marsal made this drawing of a seated man in profile with pen and brown ink. The work seems to capture a bourgeois gentleman in a moment of repose. Fortuny was working in Spain during a time of great social change. Spain was transitioning from an agrarian society to a more industrialized one, and the old aristocratic order was slowly being replaced by a new bourgeois class. Fortuny himself came from a humble background, and he was one of the first Spanish artists to achieve international recognition and wealth, embodying that moment of transition. This drawing seems to reflect the social and political context of its time, which would be mid 19th century Spain. The man's clothing and posture suggest that he is a member of the upper class, but he is not depicted in a grand or ostentatious manner. Instead, there is a sense of quiet dignity and self-assurance. As art historians, we can look to historical documents, such as letters and diaries, to learn more about the social and political context in which Fortuny was working. Understanding this context can help us to better appreciate the meaning and significance of his work.