Expressionist School (c.1950) - Expressive Portrait

FEMININE EXPRESSIONIST PORTRAIT

Catalan school, mid-20th century
Mixed media on cardboard

• Author: Anonymous / signature not identified

• Chronology: Mid-20th century, ca. 1950–1970

• School: Catalan

• Style: Figurative Expressionism / material painting

• Technique: Mixed media on cardboard

• Support: Cardboard

• Dimensions of the work: 17 x 12 cm

• Overall dimensions: 25 x 21 cm

• Inscriptions: Traces of an inscription in the upper area, possibly “Rome”; incised or dry-point inscription in the neck area, legible close to “Montse” and a second line possibly “Novell” or similar

• Subject: Female portrait in profile

• State of conservation: Generally good and visually appealing. Surface with wear, small abrasions, craquelure and slight losses typical of the technique, the support and its age. See photographs

• Presentation: Presented in a decorative sobremesa (table-top) frame. The frame is included as a courtesy and a gift

-- The work will be professionally packed with custom packaging and insured for shipment to any international destination.

-- We work with a specialized logistics center, with preparation and distribution approximately within 3 days once payment is confirmed.

IDENTIFICATION

1.1. Typology and attribution

This is a small and highly suggestive work of Catalan painting from the mid-20th century, resolved with notable technical freedom and a clearly expressionist sensibility.

By its plastic language, matter and intimate character, it can cautiously be cataloged as Catalan School, ca. 1950–1970.

1.2. Inscriptions and context

The work preserves especially interesting clues. In the upper part there appear to be remnants of an inscription compatible with “Rome,” while in the neck area a faint inscription is distinguished, probably drawn with a dry point, where one can read “Montse” and, below, a second word of uncertain reading, near “Novell.”

These elements suggest a personal or dedicatory dimension, and open a beautiful relationship between the author's Catalan milieu and a possible Roman or Italian context.

ARTISTIC DESCRIPTION

2.1. Composition

The image presents a profile female portrait, focused on the essential, with an austere and powerful construction of the face.

The head is cut off with great force against a vibrant and abstract background, while the figure is summarized in few chromatic masses of immense expressivity.

2.2. Color and matter

The artist works with a textured mixed technique on rough surface, using overlays, dragging and scraped or sgraffito areas that enrich the painted skin.

The yellows, pinks, blues and blacks do not describe in a naturalistic way, but emotionally. The hair is resolved as a large dark mass, almost graphic, contrasting with the delicate fractured face.

STYLE, SCHOOL AND ICONOGRAPHY

3.1. Plastic language

The work clearly belongs to Figurative Expressionism and material painting of the second half of the 20th century.

It does not seek academic likeness or polished finish: its interest lies in psychological intensity, in the vibration of color and in the trace of gesture. There are echoes of postwar European figuration and of certain Catalan languages close to intimate and poetic experimentation.

3.2. Catalan sensibility

The whole recalls the Catalan milieu of mid-century, where figurative modernity, matter and a painting with a strong subjective charge coexisted.

Its small format, together with the possible personal inscriptions, reinforces the impression that we are facing a very private piece, probably conceived as an affective portrait, intimate note or close evocation.

CONDITION

4.1. Painted surface

The work presents a generally good state within its typology.

There are signs of wear, small abrasions, craquelure and slight losses, coherent with the fragility of the cardboard and with the experimental nature of the technique. Far from diminishing its interest, these aspects participate in its material authenticity.

4.2. Presentation

It is kept in a sobremesa decorative frame, very suitable for its intimate scale and for its personal character.

The frame gracefully accompanies the work and is provided as a courtesy, not part of the strict monetary valuation of the painting.

GUARANTEE, TRANSPARENCY AND SHIPPING

5.1. Prudent cataloging

The work is offered as a Catalan school piece from the mid-20th century, mixed media on cardboard.

The readings of the inscriptions are made cautiously, as they are partial and delicate scripts, visible but not fully conclusive.

5.2. Photographs and description

The photographs are an essential part of the description.

No claims will be accepted for aspects visibly mentioned, such as wear, small losses, surface irregularities, support characteristics, inscriptions with doubtful reading or frame condition.

5.3. Shipping and conditions

The gallery works with a professional packing company, custom protection and international insured shipping.

Any additional cost arising from destinations outside Euro 1 and 2 zones, islands, remote areas, high-rate areas or non-EU shipments will be borne by the buyer. The frame is included as a gift and no claims will be accepted regarding its condition, age, fragility or suitability.

CONTEMPLATION

6.1. A small, deep presence

Despite its small format, this work possesses extraordinary intensity.

There is in this face something fragile and at the same time firm, as if the figure emerged from matter and memory. It is an intimate, vibrant and silent piece, one of those that do not need to dominate to stay in the gaze.