The Marquis de la Vega Inclán

Oil on canvas. William Turner Dannat.

Don Benigno de la Vega Inclán y Flaquer (1858-1942), considered by Gregorio Marañón as a “multi-millonaire of enthusiasm and generosity ”, was an illustrious son of Valladolid, soldier, senator, writer, renowned intellectual , great traveller and above all precursor of the organization of tourism in Spain, as well as devoting himself to the rehabilitation and restoration of monuments, including the Casa del Greco, in Toledo; Casa de los Tiros, in Granada; Museo Romántico, in Madrid; Barrio de Santa Cruz, in Sevilla, with really modern criteria.Salto de línea His international relations and artistic inclinations brought him the friendship of many artists , including the North American William Turner Dannat, the author of this portrait from the early 20th century which he accompanied with the affectionate dedication "A mon ami le marquis de la Vega".Salto de línea The Marquis is represented here bust length, with his face in profile, dark hair and silvered short trimmed beard. It is only sketched to the shirt collar and some traces of the jacket lapel and the knot of the tie. The reddish shadow projected by the head on the background of the canvas helps to accentuate its volume.Salto de línea