Lot Essay
We are grateful to José Clemente Orozco for his assistance in confirming the authenticity of this work.
An esteemed and renowned art historian, José Pijoán y Soteras, was an important scholar and writer. His studied architecture in his native city of Barcelona and went on to further his studies in Rome. Upon his return to Barcelona, he was instrumental in the founding of several important cultural institutions such as the Biblioteca Nacional de Cataluña and the Institut d'Estudis Catalans. He was fluent in several languages including English, French, German, Italian and ancient Greek and Latin. Pijoán was co-editor of Summa Artis, a major art-history encyclopedia published in 1931 and considered the most concise art historical publication in Spanish. Pijoán was also a respected accomplished poet. While a professor at Pomona College, he was instrumental in commissioning a mural for the refectory of the college from José Clemente Orozco. His early biography of the artist added to the artist's recognition and helped launch his career in the United States.
An esteemed and renowned art historian, José Pijoán y Soteras, was an important scholar and writer. His studied architecture in his native city of Barcelona and went on to further his studies in Rome. Upon his return to Barcelona, he was instrumental in the founding of several important cultural institutions such as the Biblioteca Nacional de Cataluña and the Institut d'Estudis Catalans. He was fluent in several languages including English, French, German, Italian and ancient Greek and Latin. Pijoán was co-editor of Summa Artis, a major art-history encyclopedia published in 1931 and considered the most concise art historical publication in Spanish. Pijoán was also a respected accomplished poet. While a professor at Pomona College, he was instrumental in commissioning a mural for the refectory of the college from José Clemente Orozco. His early biography of the artist added to the artist's recognition and helped launch his career in the United States.