Introduction

Whether in powerful red, vibrant orange, or gentle green, Alfredo Palmero’s Meninas and their charming colours have an almost hypnotic effect. In his large-format portraits, tradition meets modernity, and abstraction collides with the paintings of the old masters. It is no coincidence that his series is named after the famous painting “Las Meninas” by Diego Velázquez, one of the most important portrait painters of the Spanish Baroque. Palmero shares Velázquez’s love for detail as well as his unique ability to express his model’s personality in just a few brushstrokes.

Palmero created his Meninas as symbols of femininity, allegories for the mysteries of women and their role in society. We seem to recognise typical female attributes in their expressive poses: Gentleness, pride, and sensuality are almost tangible. Each embodies a different disposition and symbolises a different allure – one that is reflected in the background colours. It is not only the exquisite colours of Palmero’s portraits that stand out, but also the pieces’ compositional nature. While the upper halves of the images follow a realistic, figurative style of painting, the bottom halves lose themselves in complete abstraction. His use of expressive brushstrokes to portray the Meninas’ opulent dresses is almost reminiscent of a sketch by Miró. This contrast-rich relationship creates the distinctive charm of Palmero’s works, whose beauty is matched only by that of the Meninas themselves.

Palmero was raised in an artistic Spanish family that hails from a long tradition. The public can view the most important works by the Palmero family in two private museums in Spain. Other paintings by Alfredo Palmero can be found in the private collection of the former Spanish King, Juan Carlos, as well as that of the late Duchess of Alba.

Sarah Fassio

Bio

1966	Born in Barcelona, Spain

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

2015	Alfredo Palmero, Rosenbaum Contemporary, Miami, USA
	Alfredo Palmero, Galerie Tornby, Bindslev, Denmark
	Alfredo Palmero, Zenitart, Mallorca, Spain
2014	Alfredo Palmero, Galerie Artmundi, Paris, France
2013	Alfredo Palmero, A priori Art Gallery, Panama City, Panama
2012	Alfredo Palmero, Boushahri Art Gallery, Kuwait City, Kuwait
2011	Alfredo Palmero, Grand Hyatt, Doha, Qatar
	Meninas y Arlequines, The Harbour Gallery, Hong Kong, China
	Alfredo Palmero, Subex Art Gallery, Barcelona, Spain
2008	Alfredo Palmero, Galeria Sargent, Madrid, Spain
2007	Alfredo Palmero, Kennebek Fine Art, Jacob Javitz Center, New York City, USA
2006	Alfredo Palmero, Galeria Versalles, Bilbao, Spain
2005	Alfredo Palmero, Galería de arte Altea, Madrid, Spain
2002	Alfredo Palmero, Galeria Alfican, Brussels, Belgium
2001	Alfredo Palmero, Galería Art Diagonal, Barcelona, Spain

Group Exhibitions

2014	Glauben, Magicum, Berlin, Germany