Description: This is a Fine and Historic Antique Old 19th c. Colombian Impressionist Cityscape Oil Painting on canvas, depicting the famed Casa de Rafael Nunez, and its surroundings. This artwork likely dates to the late 1800's, when former Colombian President and poet, Rafael Núñez (1825 - 1894,) still resided in the palatial home. More specifically, the building in the center of the image is actually the church known as Iglesia Nuestra Señora De Las Mercedes, built by Rafael Núñez's second wife, across from the Casa Museo Rafael Núñez. This artwork depicts a gorgeous plein air scene, depicting the historic colonial era building and its surroundings in the center, a tall brick, fortress-like wall with overgrown ivy to the left, and clear blue coastal waters to the right. In the distance, numerous palm trees, and small cottages can be seen. Signed illegibly in the lower left corner. Perhaps you recognize the artist or their work? Considering the few Impressionist painters in South America during this time, this piece could possibly be by the hand of someone important and well known. Additionally, at the top of the verso of the frame, there is an annotation which reads: "Cartagena - last century...El Cabrero...Casa de Pres. Núñez." Approximately 14 x 15 1/4 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 10 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches. Very good condition for age, with moderate scuffing, edge wear, chipping and paint loss to the antique wood frame. Acquired from an old collection in Los Angeles County, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! About this Artwork: The Casa de Rafael Núñez Declared a National Monument in 1950, this was the house where Rafael Núñez, four-time president of Colombia and composer of the national anthem lived and died. The Colombian Constitution of 1886 was signed here. The House maintains its 19th century architectural style and period furniture. This gorgeous colonial mansion was the home of former president and poet Rafael Núñez, who was the driving force behind La Regeneración movement of 1884 and the seminal 1886 constitution (Colombia is currently on its ninth iteration), which transformed a messy federal government structure into a centralized system with increased presidential powers. Immaculately restored and now functioning as a well-conceived museum, guided tours of the home take in the understated rooms decorated in period style, including a delightful patio dining room and rustic kitchen. Throughout the home, mementoes, documents, artifacts, memorabilia, antiques (including Núñez’s lavish desk), and pictures of his time in Panama and his funeral evoke the esteemed president’s life. Just a short walk from the centre of Cartagena is an historic house so entwined with the history of Colombia that no visitor should miss it. The house underwent a thorough restoration completed just last month. It is the former residence of Rafael Núñez: poet, journalist, author of Colombia's National Anthem, creator of the Banco Nacional, mastermind of its Constitution, and the only President of Colombia to be elected four times. Situated just outside the city wall in Cabrero, it is easy to find: a grand old two storey, Antillian Caribbean-style wooden mansion painted white with green trim. Núñez made it his home for 17 years, and his wife Soledad Román Núñez lived here for a further 30 years after his death. The building was originally built as a single storey house by Soledad's father Manuel Román in 1858, the second floor being added after Núñez married Soledad. Passing through the entrance corridor, the visitor usually joins a guided tour which begins on the second floor in a beautiful octagonal raised patio. This was the dining room, and was open to the sea breeze and affords a nice view of the garden, which today is home to a period horse coach and some caged macaws. The patio has louvers to blunt the afternoon sun, and in Núñez' time this gave a view of the ocean, a handy lookout since he was wary of possible enemies coming from any direction. Moving towards the front of the house you come upon his ornate desk, where he wrote poetry and his political thoughts. Photos of his time in Panama - then a part of Colombia - are displayed along with an extensive library pertaining to the Delegates Council of 1886, the basis for the Colombian Constitution which ended an intense period of civil strife. There is also a bust sculpted from life, his Will and Testament and photos of his funeral. Skirting around the veranda in front of the living room, filled with beautiful antique furniture, one comes to a dining room with plates and bowls monogrammed SRN, his wife's initials. On the ground floor there is a rustic kitchen with a piedra de moler or grinding stones for milling grain by hand, and a wall inscribed with a memorial poem by his contemporary Rúben Dario,Que Se Je?(Who Am I?). At the front of the house is a collection of books and papers about Núñez and Colombian history, and a small office that houses the non-profit organization which maintains the house.Núñez' administration is remembered for ending the bloody period of chaos and internal wars which plagued Colombia from 1863-1886, a time which saw no less than 34 different Presidents. Núñez was born in 1825, and was an elected Congressman by 1853. He spent some time in Europe as a consul in Liverpool and Le Havre before returning to Colombia in 1875. He aligned with the Independent faction of the Liberals, and after signing a shaky coalition with the Conservatives, he defeated the Radical faction both at the ballot box and on the battlefield: under his command, Cartagena repelled Gaitán Obeso who laid siege to Cartagena in 1885 with 3,000 rebels. His famous motto, now painted above the entrance to his residence, Regeneration or Catastrophe, could not have been better with hindsight. He made peace with the Catholic Church, ending a destabilizing anti-clerical campaign. Soledad and Rafael were both born in Cartagena, Soledad being the oldest of 17 children, from a strict Catholic family. He raised eyebrows living with her, because the Church did not recognise his divorce from his first wife, Dolores Gallego. After his fourth term, he handed power to his Vice President, Miguel Antonio Cano.Rafael Núñez died in Cartagena on the 18th of September 1894, and is buried alongside his wife, in the Ermita de Cabrero, a quaint little church opposite his house.
Price: 975 USD
Location: Orange, California
End Time: 2024-08-25T23:29:57.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Artist: Illegible Signature
Signed By: Illegible Signature
Size: Small
Signed: Yes
Period: Art Nouveau (1880-1920)
Material: Canvas, Oil
Region of Origin: California, USA
Framing: Framed
Subject: Biblical, Cathedrals, Cityscapes, Community Life, Forest, Landscape, Monument, Plants, Presidents, Seafaring, Seascape, Seaside, States & Counties, Tourism, Tree, Colombia
Type: Painting
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 14 in
Style: Americana, Caribbean, Impressionism, Plein Air
Theme: Americana, Architecture, Art, Biblical, Cities & Towns, Continents & Countries, Cultures & Ethnicities, Famous Places, History, Nautical, Topographical, Travel & Transportation, Western
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Country/Region of Manufacture: Colombia
Handmade: Yes
Item Width: 15 1/4 in
