Bullfight

Acrylic on panel, signed

Painting: 13 ¾” x 19 ½”

Muxart was a Catalan painter, part of the Grup Taüll of avant-garde artists. His work shows a strong expressionist character with structured figurative motifs. Muxart was of a generation of artists that developed during the years of the Franco regime. In 1948 he got a grant to study in Paris, where he met Picasso and decided to devote his life to art. A grant in 1952 saw him travel to Rome.

When Muxart returned home, he helped set up the Grup Taüll with six other artists (Marc Aleu, Modest Cuixart, Josep Guinovart, Jordi Mercadé, Jaume Muixart, Antoni Tàpies and Joan Josep Tharrats) in 1955. Yet, as an artist, Muxart was something of a free spirit, a value he passed on to his students at the Fine Arts faculty in Barcelona University, where he taught and would later become dean. Muxart never stopped exhibiting his work, both in Spain and abroad. In fact, his work was displayed all over the world in exhibitions in cities that included Cairo, Stockholm, London, Sao Paulo, Copenhagen, and New York.

Chickens and Rooster

Oil-on-Panel, signed lower right

Painting: 12.5" x 9.25"
Frame: 18.5" x 15.25"

Federico Jiménez Fernandez was born in Madrid in 1841 and trained at the School of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving of San Fernando where he studied with José Gonzalez Bande. He traveled to Paris to continue his studies, as did so many other artists of the time. Jiménez was known for his paintings of birds and animals, both wild and domesticated.

Jiménez began exhibiting at the age of 17 and won his first of many medals the following year. His reputation was well established at an early age and his painting “La Maison Morte” was purchased by the National Museum in 1862. He also exhibited in Germany and in Paris at numerous venues. His popularity and the taking on of commissions to decorate palaces allowed him to support his family in a comfortable fashion.

One of Jiménez’ paintings, a parody of “The Judgement of Paris” is held by the Prado Museum. In this work, Paris and the three beautiful goddesses are replaced by a rooster with an apple at his feet and three hens.

Sources:
Benezit, E. Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs

Classical Figure with a Lyre

Oil on Panel, signed and retaining a paper label on the reverse

Painting: 14.5" x 8.5"
Frame: 20.5" x 15"

Jose Rico y Cejudo was born n Seville, Spain on March 27, 1864. He was the student of M. Ussel and J. Garcia Ramos at the School of Fine Arts in Seville. Eduardo Cano also played a role in the education of Cejudo as Cejudo would often pay visits to the artist'a studio. In 1888 he received a scholarship to study painting in Rome for seven years. While there, he made visits to the studios of his fellow countrymen Jose Villegas and Jose Gallegos. After his experiences in Rome, he returned to work in southern Spain. Cejudo taught art classes at the School of Fine Arts in Malaga from 1905. He exhibited his work and won various medals, such as a first place medal at Grenada in 1902, and a medal at the National Society of Fine Arts in 1910. Cejudo specialized in painting "anecdotal scenes from everyday life, often portraying his figures in gardens, patios and other intimate spaces. His paintings are characterized by a bright luminous palette." Some of his works are held in museum collections in Cadiz, Spain: London England and Madrid and Seville, Spain.

Sources:
Benezit, E., "Dictonnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs"
Sothebys Auction Catalogue, 19th Century European Paintings and Sculpture (October 24, 1996)
Arnaiz, J.M. "Cien Anos de pintura en Espana y Portugal, 1830-1930"