Joaquim Mir

Sala Parés, Barcelona (by 1972)
Purchased  from the above by the present owner in 1978

Barcelona, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Exposició Municipal d'Art de Barcelona, 1919, no. 174, illustrated in the catalogue (as El passeig)
Venice, Biennale de Venezia, XIX Esposizione internazionale d'arte di Venezia, 1934
Barcelona, L’Exposició del Cercle Artistic de Barcelona, 1949
Barcelona, Sala Parés, Pintores de Fama S XIX-XX, 1970, no. 4, illustrated in the catalogue (as Camino Güell en Sta. Perpetua de la Moguda)
Madrid, Museo Español de Arte Contemporáneo, Joaquín Mir (1873-1940), 1971, no. 30

Joaquim Mir (1873-1940), (exh. cat.), Fundación Cultural Mapfre Vida, Madrid, 2005, p. 124, catalogued & illustrated

This painting is in good virtually original condition, and its appearance would be further enhanced with a light surface clean. Original canvas. There are some minor scattered lines of craquelure primarily in the dark green pigments near the right edge, and three small (circa 1-1.5cm) retouched losses near the right framing edge towards the top of the composition which are not particularly visually distracting. Under ultra-violet light the old varnish makes the surface somewhat difficult to read however no further signs of retouching are visible, and the work certainly appears to be otherwise untouched. Presented in a decorative Spanish-style gilt and silver-gilt frame.
"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 in 1918, the present work depicts a path in the gardens of the estate at Santa Perpetua de Mogoda, situated to the north of Barcelona. The owner of the property was Juan Antonio Güell y López, second Earl of Güell and third Marquis of Comillas. A prominent businessman, politician, art collector and historian, his father was Eusebi Güell, patron of Antoni Gaudí.

Fully recovered from the earlier breakdown that he had suffered in Mallorca, Mir spent eight years in Moget del Vallés, close to Santa Perpetua de Mogoda, producing a series of wonderfully exuberant and colourful landscape paintings that reflect his change of spirit, and his renewed interest in capturing the effects of light on nature. 

Friends with Santiago Rusiñol, Mir's works from this period were received to great acclaim. The year before he painted the present lot, he was awarded the first Medal in the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid.