Manuel López Cepero (1778–1858) and the trade in paintings between Madrid and Seville in the first half of the nineteenth century

A previously overlooked role of Manuel López Cepero, dean of Seville Cathedral and renowned 19th-century Spanish art collector, has been revealed: he functioned as a key intermediary in the painting trade between Madrid and Seville. Analysis of his unpublished personal archives demonstrates that Cepero's collecting activities were intertwined with his work as an art dealer, enabling him to sell some of the finest works from his collection through an extensive network of clients, including leading collectors and dealers—many of them foreigners—as well as trusted correspondents. This research sheds new light on the functioning of the painting market in court circles during the first half of the 19th century, expanding our understanding of Cepero's influence beyond his celebrated private collection.

Martínez Plaza, P. J.,. (2015). Manuel López Cepero (1778–1858) and the trade in paintings between Madrid and Seville in the first half of the nineteenth century. Journal of the History of Collections, 28(1), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhc/fhv016