Santiago Rusiñol

Acquired by the father of the present owner at an exhibition in Sóller, circa 1930 

Probably: Barcelona, Sala Parés, Impressions de Mallorca, 1905, no. 10 (as La vall, Sóller)

Gran Enciclopèdia de La Pintura i l´Escultura a les Balears, Mallorca, 1996, vol. IV, p. 183
Josep de C. Laplana & Mercedes Palau-Ribes, La pintura de Santiago Rusiñol. Catàleg sistemàtic, Barcelona, 2004, vol. III, p. 152, catalogued & illustrated.

Original canvas. Apart from a vertical line of retouching to the extreme right edge, a small spot of retouching in the tree to the far left of the composition (visible under ultra-violet light); some pin head spots of paint loss to the red-brown plant to the right in the foreground (visible in the catalogue illustration); some minor spots of paint shrinkage in the greens, and notably to the left hand red-brown plant in the foreground (visible in the catalogue illustration), and some frame-rubbing, notably down the left and right hand edges, this work is in good original condition. It would benefit from a light surface clean.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Painted from an elevated vantage point, this large composition is a powerful representation of the valley of Sóller, one of the main sources of inspiration for the artist during 1903-4.

Rusiñol travelled to Mallorca to recover from ill health in 1899. He was enchanted by what he called 'the island of tranquillity' and would return subsequently on a regular basis, producing landscapes for which he gained international acclaim.

By 1903, the artist enjoyed an international reputation. He participated in the Libre Esthétique exhibition in Brussels with four landscapes of Mallorca, and in the Societé Nationale de Beaux-Arts at the Grand Palais in Paris with five, one of which was acquired by the French State. The critics praised his work and Jean Lorrain, the French Symbolist poet wrote 'The success of the Salon goes to Spain. Do not forget to stop in front of the metallic greenness and the clumps of yew trees cut out and the gloomy cypresses of the Mallorcan garden. Rusiñol has the gift of creating atmosphere' (Josep de C. Laplana & Mercedes Palau Ribes, La pintura de Santiago Rusiñol. Catàleg sistematic, Barcelona, 2004, vol. I, p. 238).