Cándid Planas Masó | Still Life with Game (1939) | Original Oil

Classic still life from the Catalan school. An original oil on canvas dated 1939 that stands out for its mastery of textures and the chromatic contrast between the sobriety of the hunting trophy and the vividness of the fruits.

History and Curatorial Analysis

The Still Life Tradition and Historical Context

In this work, Cándid Planas Masó (1898-1972) revives the hunting trophy tradition, a classic subgenre that demands a high level of technical virtuosity for the faithful representation of organic textures. Executed in 1939, a key date in contemporary Spanish history, the piece moves away from the narrative of the moment to anchor itself in the tangibility of still life, sustenance, and rural life, demonstrating the persistence of classical painting's aesthetic values in times of transition.

Composition, Texture, and Narrative Detail

The visual structure is markedly vertical and forceful. The artist applies generous impasto and directional brushstrokes to capture the density of the hare's fur and the bird's plumage, contrasting them with the volumetric softness and luminosity of the grapes and apple. The detail of the shotgun cartridge in the lower corner acts as a narrative closure: it not only introduces an accent of blue and brass color into a palette dominated by earth tones, but also incorporates the trace of human hunting action into the composition.

Why is this piece an opportunity for your collection?

• Demand in "Sporting Art": Hunting or sporting art painting has a very stable and defined collector's market. It is a piece with enormous decorative potential, ideal for interior design projects in country houses, classic offices, or wineries.

• Documentary Value (1939): The execution date (clearly visible next to the signature) gives it added historical value. Works dated in years of sociopolitical turning points hold particular interest for specialized and historiographical collecting.

• Visual Presence and Conservation: Its vertical format, close to 80 cm with frame, guarantees a strong visual impact on the wall. The stability of the canvas and the excellent vividness that the pigments maintain in the fruit area ensure a solid acquisition.

Technical Sheet

• Artist: Cándid Planas Masó (1898-1972).

• Title / Theme: Hunting still life with hare and fruits (Still Life / Sporting Art).

• Period: 1939 (Post-war Art / Catalan School).

• Technique and Support: Oil on canvas.

• Dimensions: 64 x 49 cm (canvas) | 78 x 63 x 5 cm (with frame).

• Signature and Inscriptions: Signed "C. Planas Masó" and dated "39" in the lower right corner.

• Provenance: Secondary art market, private collection.

• Conservation Status: Very good. Stable and well-stretched canvas, no apparent structural alterations. The classic frame with a gilded fillet accompanies the work and shows natural wear consistent with its age.

• Inspection Guarantee: 14-day guaranteed return period to inspect the work in person and verify its condition.

The Workshop's Note

The main appeal of this canvas is its absolute technical solidity. Planas Masó demonstrates impeccable craftsmanship by giving physical weight to the game pieces and modeling light on the fruit with great volumetric precision. It is a robust, direct, and unadorned still life that perfectly adheres to the canons of the traditional figurative school. An excellent addition for collectors seeking Spanish painting from the first half of the 20th century with character, history, and a strong decorative presence.

Includes Collector's Dossier: This work comes with an exhaustive research study, technical sheet, and curatorial context prepared and printed by El Taller del Coleccionista.