ABOUT THE WORK

What is probably the secret of Alcuaz’ art is that he was a true Hedonist in his approach to life and the world at large. This is what is true in this work in which Alcuaz’ refined and sophisticated way of seeing, feeling, and transforming the banal onto the canvas guides his art purely and uninterruptedly, with the least interference of common considerations. The otherwise Contemporary domestic setting seems inspired by exotic Persian miniatures, as emphasized by her richly colored “malong” like dress, but the woman’s langurously reclining form is pure Alcuaz. Alcuaz also took great pleasure in his materials and knew how to bring out their best properties, and discover their secrets of color and tone, as can be seen in this picture of a woman partially reclined on a lounging chair. If there was an actual sitter for this work, then being a mood painter, he catches the sleeping subject in an uncharacteristic posture and gesture within the standard period of an hour in swift, sure, and evermoving strokes of the brush and of the mind, which after all directs the hand.