Catalan School (c.1950) - NO RESERVE - Lady with a Hat

1. TECHNICAL DATA Author: Catalan School Period: First half of the 20th century, c. 1930–1950 Proposed title: Lady with Hat Medium: Pastel on paper Dimensions of the work: 60 × 70 cm approx. Framed dimensions: 77 × 88 cm approx. Signature: There is a very faint inscription or signature in the lower left margin, currently difficult to read. Support: Paper Presentation: Framed under glass, with an ornamental gilded frame. Condition: Good overall considering its age and technique. Small superficial alterations and signs of aging may be observed. The work has not been examined outside its frame. 2. DESCRIPTION Elegant female portrait executed in pastel, belonging to the Catalan school of the first half of the 20th century. The composition depicts a half-length young woman, wearing a wide black and gray hat, whose silhouette is cut out against a background built with large chromatic masses. The figure, partially nude, looks at the viewer with a serene and confident expression. The work combines a very careful treatment of the face with a much freer handling of the hat, clothing and background, creating an attractive contrast between figurative precision and painterly spontaneity. 3. STYLISTIC AND COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS The painting responds to a sensibility typical of interwar European portraiture and the decades immediately following. The face is modeled with soft tonal transitions, with special attention to the eyes, lips and flesh tones. By contrast, the surroundings are resolved with broad pastel washes, where whites, yellows, grays, ochres and blacks blend with great freedom. The hat is one of the main plastic elements of the composition. Its wide, sinuous form generates a strong diagonal structure around the face, while the red circle at the top introduces a highly intense chromatic accent. The composition alternates meticulously finished zones with others deliberately open and sketch-like, a solution characteristic of much of the 20th-century modern portraiture. 4. PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSION The figure conveys a notable presence. The frontal, calm, slightly distant gaze makes the portrait more than a mere decorative representation. The position of the arm and hand on the torso introduces a gesture of intimacy and introspection, while the large hat adds sophistication and theatricality. There is an interesting balance between sensuality and elegance. Partial nudity does not dominate the composition, but functions as part of an image built around the model's personality and attitude. 5. SIGNATURE AND AUTHORSHIP HYPOTHESIS In the lower left area there is a pencil or dark pastel inscription. The handwriting is very faint and currently does not allow a sufficiently secure reading to associate it with a specific artist. For prudence, the work is cataloged as Catalan School. From a stylistic point of view, the combination of academic drawing, delicate treatment of the female figure, simplification of the background and expressive use of pastel reasonably place it in the Catalan sphere of the first half of the 20th century. 6. OTHER INTERESTING DATA The work is particularly interesting for the quality of the facial treatment. The eyes are built with small gradations of black, gray and green, while the pink tones of cheeks and lips add warmth to a composition dominated by neutral colors. Pastel also allows direct observation of the artist's gesturality. In many areas the pigment traces, blending and color overlays remain visible. The contrast between the definition of the figure and the almost abstract freedom of the background connects the work with a modern aesthetic close to European decorative portraiture of the 1930s and 1940s. The large format — about 60 × 70 cm — greatly increases its visual presence. 7. SHIPPING AND CONDITIONS The work will be shipped by a professional specialized company. A custom-made box and foam protections will be used to ensure maximum safety during transport. We ship internationally worldwide. Due to size, weight and glass protection, certain destinations may incur a surcharge for packaging and transport. Additional costs arising from large-format shipments or destinations outside the European Union will be borne by the buyer. The frame is included as a gift along with the work and will not be subject to claims.

Utropspris:SEK 7,788.16

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