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Learn MoreThe Tempest by Luis Falero
- This work is a masterful depiction of Shakespeare’s The Tempest by Spanish artist Luis Falero
- It showcases Falero’s signature use of luminous color, dramatic lighting and exquisite detail
- Ariel, a forest spirit, is depicted emerging from their tree in luminescent form
- Falero's works can be found in major museums worldwide, including the Met
- Get complete item description here
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1851-1896 | Spanish
The Tempest
Signed and dated "Falero / 1889" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
Luis Ricardo Falero, the renowned Spanish painter celebrated for his depictions of the female nude in mythological and celestial settings, brings Shakespeare’s The Tempest to life in this striking oil on canvas. A master of academic realism and luminous color, Falero captures the moment Prospero frees the spirit Ariel from imprisonment within a. . .
1851-1896 | Spanish
The Tempest
Signed and dated "Falero / 1889" (lower right)
Oil on canvas
Luis Ricardo Falero, the renowned Spanish painter celebrated for his depictions of the female nude in mythological and celestial settings, brings Shakespeare’s The Tempest to life in this striking oil on canvas. A master of academic realism and luminous color, Falero captures the moment Prospero frees the spirit Ariel from imprisonment within a split tree. Wearing a vivid red robe, Prospero dominates the composition, his commanding presence emphasized by his flowing garments and the scene’s dynamic movement. Ariel, depicted as an ethereal figure, exudes an otherworldly glow, their delicate form bathed in a golden light.
Falero’s keen attention to detail is evident in the intricate rendering of textures—from the coarse bark of the fractured tree to the soft translucence of Ariel’s garment. The lush, verdant background of deep yellows and greens contrasts beautifully with the darker, weathered wood of the tree trunk. The painting’s dramatic lighting and rich palette underscore Falero’s technical brilliance, perfectly embodying the Academic tradition that emphasized idealized beauty and narrative depth.
Born in Granada, Spain, Falero initially pursued a naval career but abandoned it against his parents' wishes. He traveled on foot to Paris, studying art, chemistry and engineering, leaving the latter to train under the great Gabriel Ferrier. Falero later moved to London, where he ultimately settled. Today, his works are held in prestigious private collections across Europe and the United States, as well as premier museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Painted 1889
Canvas: 28 1/2“ high x 15 3/8” wide (72.39 x 39.05 cm)
Frame: 37 1/8” high x 24” wide x 2 1/2“ wide (73.06 x 94.30 x 6.35 cm)
Provenance:
Private collection, Montreal
Private collection, New York
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

Period: | 1816-1918 |
Origin: | England |
Type: | Paintings |
Style: | Academic |
Depth: | 2.5 in. (6.35 cm) |
Width: | 24.0 in. (60.96 cm) |
Height: | 37.13 in. (94.3 cm) |
Canvas Width: | 15.375 in. (39.05 cm) |
Canvas Height: | 28.500 in. (72.39 cm) |

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