Mar 09, 2023 - Sale 2629

Sale 2629 - Lot 80

Unsold
Estimate: $ 2,500 - $ 3,500

ALEXANDRO DE RIQUER (1856-1920)

[THE FOUR SEASONS / SPRING.] 1899.


45 3/4x21 3/4 inches, 116 1/4x55 1/4 cm.
Condition B+: creases, abrasions, and repaired tears and pin holes in margins; large repaired tear at top edge into image with slight overpainting.

Spanish-born de Riquer studied art in Barcelona, and then traveled throughout Italy, Paris (where he encountered the work of Alphonse Mucha and Eugène Grasset) and Britain, where he became acquainted with the Arts and Crafts movement. Returning to Spain, he went on to become one of the country's most important Art Nouveau artists. Following Mucha's success with decorative panels, de Riquer interpreted the Four Seasons for the Spanish market. "In Spain, de Riquer has executed some charming decorative panels which are worthy to rank with the best efforts of Mucha. The set representing the Four Seasons, of which Spring is undoubtedly the best, are simple figure studies in the open air. He treats the subject from an original point of view" (Rogers p. 127). The image, achieved in light tones in a Symbolist, poetic atmosphere, is both delicate and captivating.