Joaquim Mir

Private collection, Barcelona

Barcelona, Museo de Arte Moderno, Exposición Joaquín Mir (1873-1940), 1972, no. 142, illustrated in the catalogue
Barcelona, Fundación la Caixa, Joaquim Mir. Antológica 1873-1940, 2009, no. 61, illustrated in the catalogue

The canvas has been secured with a strip-lining along the four tacking edges, and appears to have been tacked onto a new stretcher. There is some fine craquelure in the areas of thicker impasto, which is well preserved and apparently stable. Ultra-violet light reveals scattered retouchings which are very minor compared with the overall dimensions of the canvas, notably a circa 6cm thin horizontal repair with some adjacent spots to the right of the leftmost tree trunk, intermittent strokes along the framing edges, a small circa 10cm curved repair in the background in the centre of the composition, a small area 4 by 6cm to the left of the tower, and a thin vertical line in the clouds. The picture is in good overall condition, and ready to hang. This work is sold unframed.
"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 circa 1922, this exotic, luminous frieze formed part of the mural decorations for the modernist house also known as Mas Blau, from its blue ceramic tiles. Situated two kilometres from the town of Les Borges del Camp, in Tarragona, the house is variously known as Mas del Comte, Mas de Terrats or Mas de Potau, after its previous owners.

Mir's panoramic view is of the property's luscious gardens, and hanging in the house would have brought the outdoors indoors. Colour and light meant everything to Mir, and he used them to build a personal idiom in which he created a surprisingly modern aesthetic, beyond Impressionism or Symbolism.

The commission for Mas Blau was among Mir’s first after moving to Vilanova i la Geltrú in 1922 with his wife (lot 25), where he would remain until 1940. The artist’s time at Vilanova coincided with the most successfull period of his career. Mir won the first medal at the International Exhibition in Barcelona in 1929 and was awarded the medal of honour at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid the following year.

Another of Mir's panels for Mas Blau is in a private collection in Barcelona (fig.1)