Joan Soler-Jové — Clown, toys and church, three illustrations on card, 20th century

The artistic universe of Joan Soler-Jové was not limited to large compositions. He also found in small formats a space to record characters, places, and everyday scenes with the immediacy of someone who turns drawing into a natural form of observation.

This set brings together three illustrations distributed across two small cards, one of them worked on both sides. Through them, we discover three distinct aspects of the Catalan draftsman’s graphic language: the world of the circus, childhood, and architectural landscape.

The first composition depicts a standing clown, dressed in a suit with large lapels, a hat, and an exaggerated bowtie. The figure is constructed with energetic lines, displaying a joyful gestural quality and remarkable fluidity. The large shoes and caricatured proportions refer to the circus universe that Soler-Jové cultivated throughout much of his career.

The second illustration presents a small child figure surrounded by packages, toys, and miniature vehicles, in a scene that evokes the festive atmosphere of Christmas. Its compositional simplicity and the arrangement of the objects create a visual narrative reminiscent of children's illustration.

Finally, the third composition represents a church with bell towers, a staircase, and architectural elements resolved through quick strokes. In contrast to the expressive nature of the previous figures, here the focus shifts toward the immediate capture of a building and its silhouette.

Joan Soler-Jové (Barcelona, 1934) trained at the Llotja School and the Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc, and developed an extensive career as a draftsman and watercolorist. Although he is especially recognized for his dedication to the universe of Charlie Rivel and the world of the circus, he also depicted urban landscapes and architecture, showing remarkable thematic versatility.

These small cards bring together, in an intimate format, three ways of observing the world: the humor of the spectacle, childish imagination, and everyday architecture.

Technical Data Sheet

• Artist: Joan Soler-Jové (Barcelona, 1934).

• Title: Clown, toys, and church (descriptive title).

• Technique: Black-line illustrations on card stock.

• Medium: Two cards, one illustrated on both sides.

• Dimensions: 10 × 8 cm and 7 × 6 cm.

• Chronology: Second half of the 20th century, undated.

• Composition: Three motifs: circus clown, child figure with gifts and toys, and church with bell towers.

• Signatures: "Soler-Jové" inscriptions integrated into the illustrations.

• Condition: Slight stains and yellowing of the support, minor handling marks, and some superficial signs of aging. The set maintains good readability of its compositions.

Studio Note

What makes this small set appealing is its thematic variety. On just two cards, we find three subjects that allow us to appreciate Soler-Jové's capacity for synthesis, from circus caricature to architectural sketching.

We find its small format especially interesting, as it invites the viewer to contemplate the drawings up close and discover the expressive value of the small details. We recommend keeping both pieces together as a set and, in the case of the card illustrated on both sides, choosing a mounting that allows both compositions to be appreciated.