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Paulino Vicente Portrait of Valentín Silva Melero

Inventory no.
196159
Chronology
1961
Technique
Oil
Support
Canvas
Measurements
113x84 cm

The middle-plane figure is standing, with his head tilting slightly to one side, before a neutral background consisting of garnet-coloured drapery which occupies the entire surface, isolating the subject from any environmental contextualization.

He is dressed in the academic vestments characteristic of Spanish university rectors: the black gown with white lace cuffs over a reddish background, black mozzetta and biretta, which in this case, contrary to the previous portraits, covers the rector's head, rather than appearing placed on a table or held. When Queen Isabella II visited the University of Oviedo in 1858, she allowed the rector and faculty members to keep their birettas on in her presence, thus making use of their time-honoured privileges. During his visit to the city of Zaragoza, King Felipe III witnessed a doctoral investiture ceremony during which he ordered the rector and doctors of the Zaragoza faculty to cover their heads, as was their noble privilege. By taking this stand, the king granted doctors the privilege of keeping their heads covered when before him, just like Spanish grandees. It is due to this circumstance that academic ceremonial protocol indicates that doctors should remain with their heads covered during the entire event, except at the moment of the oath-taking and the singing of the Gaudeamus Igitur (the University's official song).

The enamelled medal hanging from a gold cord, the sash and badge of the Grand Cross of Civil Merit and the badge of the Order of Alfonso X, the Wise stand out against the mozzetta. He holds the staff of office, a hallmark of doctors which in the University of Oviedo is exclusive to the rector, and the white gloves, symbols of purity and equanimity. Both are held in his slightly turned left hand, while his right hand is raised to his chin, lending him a pensive expression.

The academic vestments for Spanish universities were regulated by Queen Isabella II in the mid-19th century via two royal decrees which standardized the characteristics of university attire.

Valentín Silva Melero was a lecturer in Penal Law and rector of the University of Oviedo from 1954 to 1960. He studied law in Oviedo, but he received his doctorate in Madrid. He later furthered his studies in Germany, Italy and France. He was the founder and head of the Social School of Oviedo, as well as senator by royal appointment between 1977 and 1979.

The painter Paulino Vicente (1900-1990) was a prolific portraitist who studied first at the Oviedo School of Arts and Crafts and later at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts. He is known as the "painter of Oviedo". In relation to the University, he participated quite actively in the artistic aspects of the reconstruction, undertaking various commissions for the rectorate and serving as a member of the selection committee for artists requesting to exhibit their works in the university building and in the former Recoletas School, which was adapted as the seat of governance.

Bibliographical references
  • QUIJADA ESPINA, A., R. RODRÍGUEZ ÁLVAREZ y S. VÁZQUEZ-CANÓNICO COSTALES (02004) Bienes culturales de la Universidad de Oviedo. Oviedo: Universidad de Oviedo.
  • VV.AA. (2008) Tradición de futuro. Exposición cuatro siglos de historia de la Universidad. Oviedo: Universidad de Oviedo.
Location on the mapUbicación de la obra en las instalaciones de la Universidad

 

 

  • Universidad de Oviedo
  • Campus de Excelencia Internacional