Josep Simont i Guillén

JOSEP SIMONT I GUILLÉN (Barcelona, 1875 – Caracas, 1968).
"Young Man," 1907.
Charcoal and crayon on paper.
Dated in the lower right margin. Monogram in the lower left margin.
In good condition. Shows slight oxidation and stains consistent with its age.
Measurements: 27 × 32 cm; 63 × 63 cm (frame).

The precision of the drawing and the attention paid to the expression place this work within the strong portraiture tradition of Josep Simont, one of the Catalan draftsmen of his generation with the greatest international renown. The face is the most finely defined element, rendered through delicate charcoal shading, while the hair, clothing, and background are executed with a progressively freer style. Highlights introduce luminosity and enhance the sense of volume against the warm tone of the paper.

Josep Simont i Guillén trained in Barcelona and, from a young age, contributed to various magazines associated with Catalan Modernism. He spent much of his career in Paris, where he gained particular recognition as a draftsman and illustrator. He was particularly known for his images of World War I, and he also contributed to publications in the United States and Germany.