Copy of a ‘Bodegone’ by Velazquez

Title Copy of a ‘Bodegone’ by Velazquez
Collection Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle
Artist Bowes, Joséphine (French artist, 1825-1874)
Date Earliest about 1867
Date Latest 1874
Description ‘Bodegone’ is a term used to describe artworks, particularly Spanish paintings, representing still life objects which include foods and their containers, and which may be a part of a kitchen or eating scene. It is not known however which Velazquez this was copied from, or if it was indeed copied, as Velazquez’s still lifes may have inspired Joséphine Bowes to create her own. It is likely that this painting was done towards her later years, as she was ill and probably painted mostly indoors at the time.
Current Accession Number J.34
Subject still life
Measurements 65.7 x 90 cm.0 cm (estimate)
Material oil on canvas
Acquisition Details Bequeathed by the founders John and Joséphine Bowes 1885.
Principal Exhibitions Paintings by Joséphine Bowes, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, 1992; Joséphine Bowes – The Paintings, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, 2003-2004.
Notes According to a former Bowes Museum curator, this painting was inspired by Velazquez rather than copied from his work. Joséphine Bowes trained under Karl-Josef Kuwasseg (1802-1877), a well-known landscape painter whose work she imitated. For more on her as an artist, see Hardy, C. E., John Bowes and the Bowes Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1970, pp. 152-3. There is little information as to her artistic education, but it appears that her paintings date from about 1860 to her death in 1874.
Rights Owner The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham
Author Dr Maylis Hopewell-Curie