Mariano Montoya (1950) - Gallos y Gallinas

Artist: Mariano Montoya (Ciudad Real)

Technique: Oil on canvas

Signature: Signed in the lower right corner

Period: Second half of the 20th century (c. 1980–1990)

Style: Realism (with 19th-century genre-painting roots)

Subject: Genre painting / Genre scene / Urban landscape and traditional architecture
Framed: Classic carved wooden frame with molded detailing and a gold/bronze patina finish.

Description of the work:

An attractive, luminous genre oil painting depicting the interior of a cobbled courtyard with traditional Mediterranean or Andalusian architecture.

In the middle ground, beside a whitewashed archway and a large earthenware jar with plants, a woman dressed in traditional clothing holds a container as she feeds the poultry.

In the foreground, the focus falls on a lively group of roosters and hens, rendered in meticulous detail on a paved surface of stone slabs.

The composition stands out for its accomplished architectural perspective, the interplay of sunlight and shadow across the rough façades and whitewashed walls, and the rich tonal range of the plumage against the earthy, ochre tones of the surroundings.

A work with a striking visual presence and a tranquil atmosphere, representative of the genre-painting aspect of the artist’s work.

Overall dimensions: 122 × 94
Canvas dimensions: 100 × 73

Biography and artistic career:

Mariano Montoya was born in 1950 in Tomelloso (Ciudad Real), a region with a notable artistic tradition.

Largely self-taught, he stood out from the beginning for his innate technical virtuosity, clean brushwork, and extraordinary ability in drawing and academic composition.

Throughout his career, he has mastered figurative painting, with particular distinction in Orientalist subjects, 18th-century gallant scenes, traditional genre painting, and depictions of majas and carnival scenes.

Reserved by nature and detached from the mass-market self-promotion circuit, Montoya has focused his career on the discipline of the studio and selective production.

His paintings are regularly featured and highly valued on the secondary market and at Spanish and international auction houses (such as Durán, Subastas Segre, Aletheia, and Templum Fine Art), where his large Orientalist compositions and period scenes are widely recognized for their decorative appeal and refined technical quality.

Condition

The work is in good overall condition, as can be seen in the photos.

The canvas is properly stretched on its original stretcher.

The paint layer is stable.

No significant losses or invasive restorations are visible.

This is a piece ready to hang and enjoy, with no treatment required.
Shipping arrangements

We follow a professional packing and shipping protocol specializing in works of art:

The canvas is protected with acid-free materials.

Multilayer padding and a reinforced shipping box are used.

Insured shipping with tracking.

The package is prepared in accordance with transportation standards for art and antiques.

Our aim is to ensure that the work arrives at its destination in perfect condition.

Professional commitment

We specialize in art, antiques, and collectibles, with extensive experience in the handling, cataloguing, and sale of artistic works.

Rigorous and honest descriptions.

Actual photographs of the work being offered.

Direct assistance and specialized advice.

Reliability and professionalism throughout the entire process.

Our commitment is to offer authentic works with the utmost transparency and confidence for the collector.

The painting’s frame, when specified in the photos and listing as included, is included as part of the sale and provided free of charge with the painting. Complaints or returns will not be accepted if it is damaged during shipping.