Portrait of Francisco Bayeu after Goya — Attributed to Joan Vallhonrat

Description
A head-and-shoulders portrait of the Spanish painter Francisco Bayeu, following Francisco de Goya’s celebrated portrait in the Museo Nacional del Prado.

The sitter is depicted against a dark background, wearing a grey coat and white neckcloth, with softly curled grey hair framing his face. Muted earth colours and restrained modelling concentrate attention on his direct gaze and serious expression.

The painting is presented in an ornamental gold-toned frame with scrolling foliage and blue-grey accents. An aged handwritten label on the reverse appears to name Juan Vallhonrat and bears the date “24-11-99”, possibly referring to 24 November 1899.

Provisionally attributed to the Catalan painter Joan Vallhonrat i Sadurní, after Goya; the attribution rests on the reverse inscription and has not been independently authenticated.

Artist
Attributed to Joan Vallhonrat i Sadurní (1874–1937), also known as Juan Vallhonrat.

Artist Details
Catalan painter born in Cornellà de Llobregat, with a career connected to Barcelona. Vallhonrat studied at Llotja and worked in painting, poster design and the reproduction of historic artworks.

Date
Possibly 1899. The reverse label reads “24-11-99”; its relationship to the painting’s execution remains unconfirmed.

Medium
Appears to be oil on canvas, based on the photographs.

Style
Academic portraiture; study after an Old Master painting.

Subject
Portrait of Francisco Bayeu y Subías (1734–1795), after Goya.

Artist Influence
After Francisco de Goya’s portrait of Francisco Bayeu, dated 1795, in the Museo Nacional del Prado.

Signature
No clear signature is visible on the front in the supplied photographs. The reverse paper label appears to bear the name “Juan Vallhonrat”.

Provenance
Previous ownership history has not been supplied. The reverse retains an aged handwritten label with a name, references to Goya and the date “24-11-99”.

Condition
The photographs show an uneven surface sheen, scattered small marks and areas of apparent surface wear, particularly towards the lower edge. The reverse label is torn, stained and incomplete. The canvas, paint stability and any previous restoration require physical examination.

Frame
Ornamental gold-toned frame with scrolling leaf decoration and blue-grey detailing. Visible rubbing, chips and losses to the finish. The frame’s date and originality to the painting are unconfirmed.

Our Opinion
An interesting study of a recognised Spanish portrait, with a potentially significant Barcelona connection through the reverse inscription naming Juan Vallhonrat. The sitter’s identification and the distinction between the original composition and this later study should remain explicit in the listing.