Andrés de Islas (Active between 1753 and 1783) Philip Neri Oil on canvas. Signed and dated 1769. 87 x 70.5 cm. Andrés de Islas worked in Mexico in the mid-18th century. The painter, disciple and follower of Miguel Cabrera, was a highly acclaimed painter, especially recognised for his casta series and portraits. The one we have here stands out as one of his finest works, showcasing exceptional finesse, particularly evident in the intricately painted face and hands. Examples of his work can be found in the National Museum of History and the National Museum of the Viceroyalty in Mexico City. His casta paintings reflect the 18th-century interest in documenting and defining the various racial and ethnic groups that constituted colonial Mexico. Andrés de Islas . He His work is represented in several museums. In Spain, for example, the Museum of America in Madrid has, in addition to Islas's portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a magnificent casta series. In Mexico, the National Museum of the Viceroyalty in Tepotzotlán houses one of his most important portraits, that of Juan de Palafox y Mendoza. The marvellous portrait of Ana María de la Campa Cos Zeballos Zeballos Villegas, Countess of San Matheo de Valparaíso and Marchioness of Jaral de Berrío, is part of the collection belonging to the Banco Nacional México. Other important paintings by Islas in Mexico include the Divine Shepherdess with Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Philip Neri with students from San Felipe Neri Oratory in San Miguel Allende, the Imposition of the Chasuble on Saint Ildefonsus at the Andrés Blaisten Collection Museum, and portraits of Carlos III, Viceroy Bucarelli, and the First Count of Regla, all kept in the Monte de Piedad headquarters.