J.M. Guerrero Medina | Figure in the Penumbra | Etching and Aquatint (17/20)

The mastery of absolute black. A superb intaglio print with an extremely short run that pays homage to the best Spanish graphic tradition through a dramatic and enveloping chiaroscuro.

History and Curatorial Analysis

The Triumph of Aquatint and Velvety Black

This magnificent original graphic work bears the signature of renowned contemporary artist José María Guerrero Medina. Created through the complex superposition of etching and aquatint, the piece stands out for its overwhelming technical mastery. The composition introduces us to a deeply intimate and silent atmosphere: a female figure in profile, seated in the dim light of a room, her silhouette and clothing subtly revealed by the light filtering through the window in the background.

The true milestone of this print is the execution of the aquatint. Guerrero Medina achieves velvety and dense blacks that devour the visual space with a drama that directly connects to the sobriety of the great classical masters of Spanish engraving. The light reserves on the hands, face, and the fabric draped over the chair demonstrate absolute control over the acid's bite on the metal plate.

Why is this piece an opportunity for your collection?

• Extremely Short Run (High Rarity): The immense curatorial appeal of this piece lies in its edition. This is copy number 17 of a limited edition of only 20 worldwide. This extraordinarily low print volume ensures that the plate has not suffered the slightest wear, offering unbeatable contrast and depth.

• Technical Virtuosity (Mixed Media): Mastering aquatint on such large surfaces without the black losing texture or becoming clotted is a challenge within the reach of very few engravers. It is a work of technical erudition.

• Gallery Format: Unlike traditional intimate prints, this work is presented on a very generously proportioned support (65 x 50 cm), giving it a strong and monumental visual presence.

Technical Data

• Artist: José María Guerrero Medina (b. 1942).

• Title / Theme: Figure in the Dim Light / Interior (Intimate Genre / Figurative Expressionism).

• Technique and Support: Original engraving (Mixed media: Etching and aquatint) on high-grammage cotton paper with natural deckled edges.

• Edition / Run: 17 / 20 (Extremely short commercial edition). Numbered in pencil in the lower left margin.

• Signature and Inscriptions: Hand-signed in pencil "Guerrero M." in the lower right corner. Features additional handwritten inscription in the center of the lower margin.

• Dimensions: Support (Paper): 65 x 50 cm.

• Provenance: Private collection / Gallery fund.

• Conservation Status and Curatorial Note: The intaglio print (central image) is in impeccable condition, retaining the ink saturation and exact contrast of its first day. Archive note: The broad paper support has a tear or cut on its outer right side margin. Given the generosity of the margins, this peripheral imperfection becomes completely and absolutely invisible when mounting the work under a standard conservation mat (mat), in no way affecting the aesthetic integrity or curatorial value of the piece once framed.

The Workshop Note

To delve into Guerrero Medina's graphic work is to confront the power of chiaroscuro. This print is not complacent; it demands to be observed carefully to discover the textures and nuances hidden in the dimness of the room. Backed by an almost non-existent edition of 20 copies, it is a must-have acquisition for the rigorous collector who seeks not decorative pieces, but visceral strength, the weight of the ink, and the history of contemporary intaglio.

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