ISMAEL SMITH (1886-1972). "PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST JOAN VIDAL I VENTOSA", 1905.
Bronze sculpture.
Signed, dated and dedicated to his model.
Joan Vidal i Ventosa is a practically unknown artist today, despite his dedication to the curious technique of pyrography. He is best remembered today for his friendship with Pablo Picasso, who portrayed him in 1899, and also for hosting El Guayaba, a local workshop established in Barcelona in 1902, which replaced the bohemian Els Quatre Gats. His friendship with Ismael Smith dates back to those years, when he portrayed him and dedicated him a drawing, dated 1906.
Literature: "Garba", no. 2, September 1905 (repr.); "Almanach de l'Esquella de la Torratxa", 1907, p. 44 (repr.); and Josep Casamartina, 'Un expresionista en el novecientos', "Ismael Smith. La belleza y los monstruos", Barcelona, MNAC, 2017, p. 138.
48 x 23 x 17 cm.
Starting Bid : 1500