Lot Essay
In the Cubist production of Zrraga, El Circo, an extremely important canvas, painted in Paris in 1915, stands out as a milestone. Not only is it a work of great Cubist purity, but moreover it reveals oniric elements heralding Surrealism.
Lights, trapezes, ropes, tracks, stands and spectators frame the androgynous body of an acrobat in the center of the picture. The figure of a young, ethereal clown, anchors this masterly composition illuminated by the use of brilliant red, blue, yellow and green tones.
In 1924, Zrraga recreated again the world of the circus in the drawing La Piedad (Piety), which served as an illustration for the book L'Ame du Cirque (The Spirit of the Circus), written by the painter Louise Hervieu to provide aid for circus orphans. In El Circo we observe the same figures: the motionless acrobat, lying on the lap of the clown, silent in pain. Curtains and spectators complete this composition. Other eminent artists such as Pierre Bonnard, Jacques Emile Blanche, Maurice Denise, Andr Dunoyer de Segonzac also prepared drawings for this edition, one of the jewels at the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.
Maria Luisa Novelo
Mexico City, March 1998
Translation Dr. Wayne H. Finke
This painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity from Francisco Zrraga Argelles and Mara Luisa Novelo Quintana dated February 1981
Lights, trapezes, ropes, tracks, stands and spectators frame the androgynous body of an acrobat in the center of the picture. The figure of a young, ethereal clown, anchors this masterly composition illuminated by the use of brilliant red, blue, yellow and green tones.
In 1924, Zrraga recreated again the world of the circus in the drawing La Piedad (Piety), which served as an illustration for the book L'Ame du Cirque (The Spirit of the Circus), written by the painter Louise Hervieu to provide aid for circus orphans. In El Circo we observe the same figures: the motionless acrobat, lying on the lap of the clown, silent in pain. Curtains and spectators complete this composition. Other eminent artists such as Pierre Bonnard, Jacques Emile Blanche, Maurice Denise, Andr Dunoyer de Segonzac also prepared drawings for this edition, one of the jewels at the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.
Maria Luisa Novelo
Mexico City, March 1998
Translation Dr. Wayne H. Finke
This painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity from Francisco Zrraga Argelles and Mara Luisa Novelo Quintana dated February 1981