JOAQUIN AGRASOT (Orihuela, Alicante, 1837 - Valencia, 1919). "Religious scene". Oil on canvas. Signed in the lower left corner. Measurements: 37.5 x 23.5 cm; 62 x 48 cm (frame). In this work we see a theme very much to the taste of the Spanish bourgeoisie of the second half of the XIX century and beginning of the XX century, the costumbrista scenes, cheerful and narrative, starring mischievous altar boys. Most commonly, these scenes were treated as we see here, with a precise and descriptive drawing and a special attention to detail, both in gestures, expressions and clothing as well as in the scenery surrounding the boys, usually interiors such as the one depicted here, a richly decorated dependency of the temple. Agrasot began his training in his native Orihuela, where he was granted a pension from the Diputación de Alicante to study at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de San Carlos in Valencia. A disciple there of Francisco Martínez Yago, in his early years he won awards such as the gold medal at the Provincial Exhibition of Alicante in 1860. In 1863 he was granted a new pension, this time to travel to Rome, where he came into contact with Rosales, Casado del Alisal and Fortuny. With the latter he established close ties of friendship, and his painting was deeply influenced by the style of the Catalan painter. He periodically sent canvases to the National Exhibitions of Fine Arts, in which he obtained third medal in 1864 and second in 1867. Agrasot remained in Italy until 1875; after Fortuny's death he returned to Spain, already a painter of recognized prestige, was a member of the Academies of San Carlos and San Fernando, and participated as a juror in several artistic exhibitions. In 1886 he received the art medal at the Universal Exposition of Philadelphia, and in 1888 the second medal at the International Exposition of Barcelona. Agrasot's style is framed within realism, being especially interested in genre themes and regional costumbrismo. However, he also worked on nudes, oriental themes and portraits. He is represented in the Prado Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia, the MUBAG in Gravina (Alicante) and the Academy of San Carlos in Valencia.