Josep Maria Sert

JOSÉ MARÍA SERT (Barcelona, 1874–1945).
"Castellers," from the series "Catalan Evocations."
Mixed media on paper, mounted on canvas.
Measurements: 45 x 62 cm; 68 x 86 cm (frame).
Work authenticated by Pilar Saez Lacave.

This work belongs to the “Catalan Evocations” series, a collection of paintings and sketches created by the renowned Catalan artist Josep Maria Sert on commission from the politician and patron Francesc Cambó. The painting vividly captures the traditional festival of the castells (human towers) in Catalonia, depicting the iconic structure of the Castellers de Valls rising against a square surrounded by historic buildings. Sert’s style is immediately recognizable for its dynamic brushstrokes, dramatic use of perspective, and an earth-toned color palette complemented by the characteristic red accents of the castellers’ shirts.
Trained under Benito Mercadé and Pere Borrell, Sert was a member of the Sant Lluc Artistic Circle and later a student of A. de Riquer. In 1900, Torras i Bages commissioned him to create a large mural decoration for the Cathedral of Vic; he presented sketches and preparatory canvases for this work in 1905 and 1907 in Barcelona and Paris, of which this piece is an example. Through his exhibitions abroad, he soon gained extraordinary prestige among the French and English aristocracy, for whom he created sumptuous decorations. In 1908, he decorated the Hall of the Lost Steps at the Palace of Justice in Barcelona, and in 1910 he presented at the Salon d’Automne in Paris the mural decoration for the ballroom of the Marquis of Alella (Barcelona) and decorated the music room of the Princess of Polignac in Paris. Two years later, he exhibited a major body of work at the Salon in the French capital. In the following years, he worked for Queen Victoria Eugenia (Santander) and for Robert Rothschild (Chantilly).