PROPERTY FROM THE ARCH. AND MRS. JORGE RAMOS COLLECTION

León Gallery wishes to thank Mr. Christian Aguilar
for confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

Federico Aguilar y Alcuaz created still life paintings with zeal, not only in the early period of his career but throughout his life. Albeit noted for his poetic interpretation of Cubism, there is something about an Alcuaz abstract still life piece that gives it poise and uniqueness. Thus, it is no wonder that most of his works allude to Cezanne, whose apples have had such a profound impact on our vision. As described by Rod. Paras-Perez in his book Parallel Texts: Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, the paintings of the fine artist have a composition that can be quite formal at times, almost geometric in its symmetry. He writes: "Just as he shifts with ease from figurative to abstract painting, Alcuaz can, with equal fluidity, move from geometric, well-defined forms to gestural, free-form brushwork." Alcuaz shifted between abstraction and figuration throughout his career, however his figurative works frequently contained abstract components. Abstract colorful strokes can be found all over his artworks. He succeeded in harmonizing the pictorial parts such that they could be perceived simultaneously. Although his abstract works were influenced by Picasso and Matisse, Alcuaz was able to infuse his worldview and personality into his style. Alcuaz painted a lot of still lifes with fruits and flowers as his favorite subjects during the late 1950s to early 1970s. Painted in 1960, this piece depicts apples and roses whose colors are rich hues of red spread out decoratively on a table dressed in a blue mantle. A feast for the eyes, mind, and heart, this piece was also nostalgic of his familial life. Christian Michael Aguilar, the eldest son of Alcuaz, was born in Hamburg, Germany, the same year when this painting was signed. In a chronology by Felicidad V. Tan-Co, moments that were personal and precious to Alcuaz as a father were reminisced by his wife, Ute Aguilar. Ute recalls: "When the boys were young, Fred was a very good, patient, and cheerful father to our kids, if he was around… I remember that every weekend he would buy a bunch of flowers to bring a touch of color to our home in Barcelona. There was always music in our home." Federico Aguilar y Alcuaz is an enigma in his own right. Imbued with a traditional attitude, Alcuaz saw art as both a gift and a calling, something worth all the hardships as well as the pleasure of creation. (P.I.R.)