Constantin Meunier en Sevilla. Experiencias del artista a partir de su correspondencia personal y de sus aportaciones creativas (1882-1883)

Abstract

Este artista belga pone en valor la temática obrerista y minera durante su exitosa etapa de madurez. No obstante, nuestra investigación se centra en su estancia en Sevilla (octubre de 1882-abril de 1883) para cumplir un encargo del gobierno de su país. Desde la correspondencia enviada a su esposa Léocadie Gorneaux, las obras creadas en España y las críticas especializadas de la prensa histórica franco-belga, se profundiza este breve periodo. Un cúmulo de obstáculos imprevistos inicialmente obligan a Meunier a prolongar su etapa corta y resolutiva. Las cartas pormenorizan esta experiencia difícil hasta la conclusión final de la misión encomendada.

The Belgian artist Constantin Meunier championed themes of labour and mining during the successful mature stage of his career. In turn, this article focuses on his stay in Seville to carry out a commission for the Belgian government between October 1882 and April 1883. The article delves into this brief period by examining Meunier’s correspondence with his wife Léocadie Gorneaux, the works he created in Spain and contemporary specialist criticism in the Franco-Belgian press. Many unforeseen obstacles initially forced Meunier to prolong what was meant to be a decisively short stay, and his letters detail this difficult experience through to the conclusion of the mission entrusted to him.