J. CARBONELL | FISHING (SEAFARING COSTUMBRISMO) | AUTHOR'S PROOF (A.P.) | BANCA MAS SARDÀ EDITION

J. CARBONELL | FISHING (SEAFARING CUSTOMS) | ARTIST'S PROOF (A.P.) | BANCA MAS SARDÀ EDITION

The essence of the Mediterranean and the exclusivity of the workshop brought together in an immaculate Artist's Proof. A chalcographic print in warm sepia ink that combines figurative mastery with the historical pedigree of Banca Mas Sardà.

HISTORY AND CURATORIAL ANALYSIS

The dignity of the craft and sepia aesthetics

This magnificent graphic work offers us a direct immersion into Catalan seafaring customs through the expert needle of J. Carbonell. Titled "La Pesca" (Fishing), the composition depicts two barefoot fisherwomen on the sand, carrying heavy baskets of catches on the shore. The scene is rendered with clean, essential lines, deeply rooted in the Noucentista heritage and the Mediterranean figurative tradition, where the dignity of traditional work is extolled. The great technical success of this edition is its monochrome printing in sepia tones, a chromatic choice that bathes the composition in a nostalgic light and gives the scene exceptional warmth and timelessness.

The status of the Artist's Proof and patronage

The true historical weight of this piece lies in its cataloging and provenance. The inscription "P A" handwritten in pencil in the lower left margin certifies that this is an Artist's Proof. While the regular commercial edition (published as a prestigious institutional gift for the historic Banca Mas Sardà) consisted of 295 copies, Artist's Proofs are the very first impressions the artist makes on the press and reserves for their own archive. This guarantees one of the purest, sharpest, and freshest impressions taken from the copper plate.

WHY IS THIS PIECE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR COLLECTION?

• Editorial Rarity (Not for Sale): As an Artist's Proof, the print is strictly excluded from mass commercial circulation. This scarcity positions it as a priority asset for erudite collectors seeking pieces with a more intimate and direct link to the creator.

• Impeccable Provenance and Pedigree: The work is intrinsically linked to the historic edition commissioned by Banca Mas Sardà (a key entity in Catalan patronage in the 1980s and founded in 1844). It is an excellent and tangible testament to Spanish corporate collecting in the last third of the 20th century.

• Gallery-Level Preservation: Printed on heavy cotton paper with noble natural deckle edges, the work has come down to us in impeccable condition. Its structural purity, free of foxing, maintains the striking contrasts of the sepia ink intact.

TECHNICAL SHEET

• Artist: J. Carbonell.

• Title / Theme: La Pesca (Fishing) (Scene of fisherwomen on the beach / Seafaring customs).

• Technique and Support: Original etching (printed in sepia ink) on heavy cotton paper with natural deckle edges.

• Edition / Cataloging: Artist's Proof (A.P.), handwritten in pencil by the artist in the lower left margin. This copy is excluded from the commercial edition of 295 copies.

• Signature and Inscriptions: Hand-signed in pencil "J. Carbonell" in the lower right margin.

• Documented Dimensions: Support (Paper): Approx. 35 x 28.5 cm.

• Provenance: Original edition commissioned by the art collection of Banca Mas Sardà (Founded in 1844).

• Condition: Impeccable. Museum quality. Very clear intaglio impression, perfect contrasts, and intact paper, free of oxidation stains.

THE WORKSHOP'S NOTE

Acquiring this print is to treasure an intact piece of contemporary engraving history. "La Pesca" not only dazzles with the unquestionable beauty and serenity of its composition but also with the authority granted by its institutional provenance and its status as an Artist's Proof. It is a work of art conceived for the graphic cabinet that demands combining technical excellence, visual warmth, and indisputable historical rigor on a single sheet of paper.

Includes Collector's Dossier: This work is delivered with an exhaustive research study, technical sheet, and curatorial context prepared and printed by El Taller del Coleccionista, certifying our research and known provenance.