Portrait of Rafael Monleón

The 8 Most Famous Rafael Monleón Paintings, Each One of a Kind

Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 8 works by Rafael Monleón in our catalogue

In short

Chinese Ships (1800) is the Rafael Monleón painting that draws the most eyes; the original belongs to the Naval Museum, Madrid. After it, the eye goes to The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890) and 17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period (1886). Among the 8 works of Rafael Monleón in our catalog, these 8 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.

1843 – 1900, Valencia Realism Most works: Naval Museum
Chinese Ships (1800) by Rafael Monleón1. Chinese Ships 1800 The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890) by Rafael Monleón2. The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges 1890 17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period (1886) by Rafael Monleón3. 17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period 1886

Top 10 paintings by Rafael Monleón, through the gallery's eye

1
Chinese Ships (1800) by Rafael Monleón

Chinese Ships

1800 · Naval Museum, Madrid

A Glimpse into 19th-Century Maritime Life: Rafael Monleón y Torres' "Chinese Ships" This captivating watercolor by Spanish artist Rafael Monleón y Torres offers a fascinating window into the maritime world of the 19th century. Depicting two Chinese ships gracefully sailing on open water, the artwork blends realistic observation with technical illustration, creating a unique and compelling visual narrative. The scene is anchored by detailed depictions of the vessels themselves, accompanied…

About this original
2
The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890) by Rafael Monleón

The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges

1890 · Oil On Canvas · Maricel Museum, Sitges

The artwork, titled The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges, captures a specific vessel upon the sea. Painted by Rafael Monleón y Torres in 1890, the oil on canvas depicts the ship La Nueva Teresa Cubana. The vessel carries a name born of affection, named in honor of Teresa Ruiz de Espejo y Castellanos. It remains a fixed point in the salt air of the composition.

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3
17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period (1886) by Rafael Monleón

17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period

1886 · Watercolor · Naval Museum, Madrid

In this breathtaking watercolor from 1886, the viewer is transported far beyond the shores of the nineteenth century and into the heart of a maritime era defined by exploration, conquest, and grandeur. Rafael Monleón y Torres, a master of naval reconstruction through art, breathes life into the legendary vessels of the seventeenth century. The scene captures a dramatic encounter between a Castilian and a Dutch galleon, their towering masts and…

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4
The Spanish Frigate Numancia (1803) by Rafael Monleón

The Spanish Frigate Numancia

1803 · Watercolor · Naval Museum, Madrid

This work shows the Spanish frigate Numancia, one of the first in the world to be powered by steam and the first armored ship to circumnavigate the world. The Numancia was launched in 1863 and became the backbone of the Spanish fleet in the War of the Pacific against Peru and Chile. Like all ships of the period, it was only in use for a short time and sank in…

About this original
7
Renaissance Navy by Rafael Monleón

Renaissance Navy

· Naval Museum, Madrid

Acuarela realizada por Rafael Monleón en 1885 como parte de su labor de restaurador del Museo Naval de Madrid. En ella se representa una escena con embarcaciones típicas del siglo XVI: la galera. Varias galeras navegan bordeando la costa. En el margen inferior e izquierdo se incluyen una serie de apuntes realizados con plumilla donde se establecen las características de esta nave.

About this original
8
Banner of the Holy League by Rafael Monleón

Banner of the Holy League

· Naval Museum, Madrid

This is a reproduction of the banner of the Holy League, which is housed in Toledo Cathedral. It was carried by the Galera Real (Royal Galley), commanded by John of Austria at the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571.It is made from blue damask with gold embroidery. It contains a depiction in oil of Christ crucified, with the coat of arms of Pope Pius V below. The coat of…

The story behind this original

The subjects that held Rafael Monleón's eye

The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.

19th century 2 works

Chinese Ships (1800), Rafael Monleón #1 Chinese Ships 1800 · Naval Museum The Spanish Frigate Numancia (1803), Rafael Monleón #4 The Spanish Frigate Numancia 1803 · Naval Museum

Sea 2 works

The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890), Rafael Monleón #2 The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges 1890 · Maricel Museum Chinese Ships (1800), Rafael Monleón #1 Chinese Ships 1800 · Naval Museum

Sailing ship 2 works

The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890), Rafael Monleón #2 The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges 1890 · Maricel Museum The Spanish Frigate Numancia (1803), Rafael Monleón #4 The Spanish Frigate Numancia 1803 · Naval Museum

Ocean 2 works

17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period (1886), Rafael Monleón #3 17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period 1886 · Naval Museum The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890), Rafael Monleón #2 The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges 1890 · Maricel Museum

The museums that keep Rafael Monleón's originals

The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Rafael Monleón Paintings from this list
Naval Museum, MadridNaval Museum Madrid 6 Chinese Ships, 17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period, The Spanish Frigate Numancia
Maricel Museum, SitgesMaricel Museum Sitges 1 The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges

Rafael Monleón across the decades: one unique original for each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.

Rafael Monleón's paintings: questions for the gallery

What is the single most famous work of Rafael Monleón?Reveal the answer

Chinese Ships (1800), Naval Museum, Madrid. The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890) and 17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period (1886) come next.

How many works by Rafael Monleón are known?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 8 works by Rafael Monleón, dated from 1872 to 1890.

Where can the most famous Rafael Monleón originals be seen?Reveal the answer

Mostly in Naval Museum (Madrid) and Maricel Museum (Sitges). The museum table above lists them all.

Which famous Rafael Monleón painting is the earliest, and which the latest?Reveal the answer

On this page, the earliest is Attack on the Callao of Chilean independentists (1872) and the latest The “Nueva Teresa Cubana” in front of Sitges (1890).

What subjects did Rafael Monleón favour?Reveal the answer

19th century (2), Sea (2) and Sailing ship (2), across the 8 works on this page.

What materials did Rafael Monleón paint with most?Reveal the answer

Watercolor, for 2 of the 8 works on this page.

Which movement does the work of Rafael Monleón belong to?Reveal the answer

Realism, judging by the originals on this page.

What Rafael Monleón originals can I see at the Naval Museum?Reveal the answer

Chinese Ships, 17th-Century Galleons Based on Engravings, Paintings, Drawings, and Descriptions of the Period and The Spanish Frigate Numancia: the Naval Museum, Madrid holds 6 of the works on this page.

Rafael Monleón: a portrait of the artist

early life and education

rafael monleón y torres, a spanish artist, was born in valencia in 1843. he passed away in madrid in 1900. his artistic journey began at the real academia de bellas artes de san carlos in valencia and later at the real academia de bellas artes de san fernando in madrid.

maritime influences and artistic career

monleón y torres was not only a painter but also an archaeologist naval. his experiences as a pilot in the north sea, visiting ports in england, scotland, germany, netherlands, and france, significantly influenced his work. this exposure is reflected in his maritime-themed paintings.

notable artworks

awards and recognition

monleón y torres's artistic success began with his participation in the exposición nacional de bellas artes in 1864, where he received recognition for his painting costa de denia. he continued to participate in these exhibitions, showcasing his talent in capturing maritime scenes.

legacy and influence

as a painter and archaeologist naval, monleón y torres left an indelible mark on spanish art. his experiences at sea and his studies in the real academia de bellas artes de san carlos and real academia de bellas artes de san fernando have influenced generations of artists. view more artworks by rafael monleón y torres: [https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/rafael-monleón-y-torres](https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/rafael-monleón-y-torres) explore the naval museum in madrid, spain: [https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@@/d4qb99-rafael-monleon-y-torres-chinese-ships](https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@@/d4qb99-rafael-monleón-y-torres-chinese-ships)
All 8 works by Rafael Monleón →