MAGDA FOLCH | DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF A COUPLE | TARRAGONA SCHOOL | INK ON PAPER

A masterclass in synthesis where the artist captures the psychology of two characters with a single continuous stroke.

HISTORY AND CURATORIAL ANALYSIS

Magda Folch (Reus, 1903 – Tarragona, 1981) , the First Lady of Painting, was a pioneer. In a time and place (post-war Tarragona) dominated by men, she established herself as a key figure, a professor, and a mentor to generations. Although she is celebrated for her oil paintings with their rich colors and impeccable technique, this 1973 drawing reveals her most intimate and modern side: the search for essence.

Visual Analysis: Ariadne's Thread. This is a pure drawing exercise. Folch uses a fine line to construct two faces and a gesture (the hand on the shoulder) without barely lifting his hand from the paper. The line is nervous, vibrant, almost a seismograph of emotion.

There are no corrections. The artist has complete faith in her own hand. Notice how she renders the man's beard or the woman's hair with controlled scribbles that suggest volume without any need for smudging. It's a style reminiscent of Cocteau's line drawings or Picasso's late sketches, where economy of means is a sign of absolute mastery. The figures' gaze, slightly melancholic, speaks of a silent communication between them.

WHY IS THIS PIECE AN OPPORTUNITY?

• Historical Female Signature: Magda Folch is one of the most respected female artists in 20th-century Catalan historiography, with work in the Museu d'Art Modern de Tarragona.

• Minimalist Aesthetic: This artwork fits perfectly into contemporary interiors. Its clean lines allow for a modern frame that contrasts with the antique paper.

• Mature Document: Dated 1973, it belongs to the artist's last stage, when her anatomical knowledge was such that she could afford to "play" with the line.

• Entrance Fee: As it is a drawing and shows signs of age, it allows you to acquire a museum signature at a fraction of the price of his oil paintings.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Author: Magda Folch (1903–1981).

• Title / Theme: Couple (Double portrait with hand).

• Year/Period: 1973 (Dated next to the signature).

• Technique and Support: Ink on paper.

• Dimensions: 49.5 x 34.5 cm.

• Signature: Signed "Magda Folch" and dated "73" in the lower left corner.

• Condition: Acceptable. The artwork shows visible damp stains ( foxing and water halos) in the lower left and right corners. Note: These defects are marginal and can be easily concealed with a conservation mat when framing, leaving the clean central image visible.

• Inspection Guarantee: 14-day money-back guarantee to inspect the work in person.

THE WORKSHOP NOTE

I rescued this drawing because it possesses a brutal honesty. Magda Folch wasn't trying to impress anyone here; she was capturing a soul. Despite the stains on the paper—which, to me, are the scars of time and proof that it's not a modern print—the power of those four lines that form the eyes remains intact. It's a piece for those who know how to look beyond the surface and see the hand that touched it.

Includes Collector's Dossier : This work is delivered accompanied by a technical sheet and historical context prepared and printed by El Taller del Coleccionista, certifying our research.