1960 The Mayor of Torrente, Valencia by López

This postcard features an image of "The Mayor of Torrente, Valencia", a 1926 oil painting by José María López Mezquita. The portrait depicts the mayor of a town in the Valencia region, dressed in traditional attire and holding a staff that symbolizes his authority. Through this reproduction, viewers can appreciate López Mezquita’s careful attention to detail and his ability to convey both the dignity of the subject and the character of Spanish regional life.

José María López Mezquita was a prominent early 20th-century Spanish portraitist, celebrated for capturing the “soul of Spain” through realistic depictions of its people and traditions. Commissioned as part of a series of portraits for the Hispanic Society of America, this work reflects the artist’s mastery of form, composition, and psychological insight, making the sitter come alive on canvas.

Created during a period of cultural preservation and national reflection, the painting highlights Spain’s regional identities and civic traditions. By presenting the mayor in his ceremonial role, López Mezquita offers a glimpse into the customs, values, and social structures of early 20th-century Spain.

This artwork is part of the collection of The Hispanic Society of America, located in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. Founded in 1904 by philanthropist Archer Milton Huntington, the Society serves as a free public museum and library dedicated to the art, literature, and history of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Its world-renowned collection includes masterworks by Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, Sorolla, and many other artists, preserving and celebrating the richness of Hispanic culture for scholars and the public alike.

This postcard would look great framed or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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