{"product_id":"manel-pujol-baladas-bodegon-con-pescado-1992","title":"Manel Pujol Baladas — Still Life with Fish (1992) — Art Miami — Large certified mixed media and collage","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreated in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStill Life with Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a monumental composition by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManel Pujol Baladas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, belonging to the group associated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and representative of the full maturity of his material language at the beginning of the nineties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasuring \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e130 × 97 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the work is organized around a large oval platter filled with fish, mollusks, and other still-life elements. Glasses and cups are distributed around the composition, while paint, drawing, and collage constantly fragment the objects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe palette combines \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egrayish blues, pinks, whites, blacks, and earth tones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with small accents of green and yellow. The large central plate acts as the axis of the painting and concentrates a complex accumulation of forms that, when viewed up close, begin to dissolve into printed paper, brushstrokes, and matter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA grand marine still life\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe central motif clearly refers to the fish still life, one of the recurring themes within Pujol Baladas’ production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this case, however, the scale completely transforms the genre.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe large platter occupies practically all the central space and contains an accumulation of fish and mollusks whose anatomies appear partially simplified or deformed. Some elements can be easily identified; others are absorbed by the pictorial surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas does not seek to reproduce a set table with naturalistic precision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe food becomes \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eforms, curves, rhythms, and masses of color\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe large plate as architecture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe oval structure of the central vessel organizes the entire composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts grayish-blue edge wraps around the food and creates a powerful, closed form within the canvas. At the same time, the fish, shells, and collage fragments continuously break that stability through diagonals and small internal movements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe plate functions almost like a painting within a painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe greatest visual density is concentrated inside it; outside, glasses and small objects provide resting points and help balance the scene.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis organization gives the work great impact even when viewed from afar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish, mollusks, and matter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas transforms the marine products through an extremely free approach.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe forms are built using thick black outlines, rapid brushstrokes, areas of impasto, and small fragments of paper incorporated into the painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fish appear in blues, grays, and pinkish tones, while the shells and mollusks introduce repetitive rhythms and darker forms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result retains the identity of each element without being subjected to precise description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gaze recognizes the still life first; then it begins to discover the autonomy of each stain, line, and fragment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vessels and the space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAround the large platter appear different \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eglasses and cups\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, treated with light lines and transparencies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn the left, two vertical vessels accompany the edge of the plate; on the right, a dark glass appears that balances the ensemble.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese forms fulfill an important function because they introduce verticals within a composition dominated by the great horizontality of the central vessel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas thus plays with the still-life tradition—table, food, glasses—but almost completely eliminates conventional perspective.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe objects seem to be situated simultaneously in front of, around, and on the pictorial plane.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollage and printed paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surface incorporates numerous fragments of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eprinted paper and newsprint\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, visible especially between the food and in certain areas of the background.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome retain letters and small columns of text; others have been practically buried by the paint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas uses these materials as a structural part of the image.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe paper is superimposed, wrinkled, receives new layers of pigment, and ends up integrated into the very anatomy of the fish and objects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe collage does not function as an added element, but as one of the basic materials with which the work is built.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA painting of dual readings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom a certain distance, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStill Life with Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e offers a clear and resounding image.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe large platter, the fish, the mollusks, and the vessels can be recognized immediately.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUpon approaching, the perception changes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe figures begin to fragment into cutouts, brushstrokes, small stains, lines, and textures. What seemed like a solid object becomes a succession of superimposed materials.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis transformation between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003erepresentation and abstraction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e constitutes one of the most characteristic aspects of Pujol Baladas' painting from this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe color\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the subject might suggest a dark still life, the work presents an especially rich chromatic range.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elight, grayish blues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of the plate and the fish are combined with pinks, whites, and earth tones, while intense blacks structure certain areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall greens and yellows appear sporadically among the food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe palette helps an extremely dense composition maintain a certain luminosity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pinkish and grayish backgrounds also soften the forcefulness of the black lines and allow the different elements to be separated visually.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1992: a work of full maturity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe date \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e places the painting in one of the central moments of Pujol Baladas’ production from the early nineties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn these years, his language already combines \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efiguration, collage, gestural painting, and matter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in a fully developed way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStill lifes provide the artist with a recognizable structure from which he can alter perspective, anatomy, and surface without completely losing the reference to the everyday world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStill Life with Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is especially representative of this stage due to its scale and the density with which all these resources are integrated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe work belongs to the set of Manel Pujol Baladas paintings associated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis provenance places the piece within a relevant exhibition context from the artist's international projection phase during the nineties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this case, the provenance is particularly significant because it is a work of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e130 × 97 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the largest pieces in the collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of large format, exhibition context, and individual certification allows it to be placed with special precision within this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate and documentation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe work has an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal certificate signed by Manel Pujol Baladas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, identified as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eM.P.B. No. 0158\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe document expressly certifies the title \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStill Life with Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the mixed media, the dimensions of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e130 × 97 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and its execution in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLikewise, it includes a reference value of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1,000,000 Mexican pesos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with mention of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSAT (Tax Administration Service of Mexico)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas' studio has directly confirmed that the amounts included in these certificates correspond to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eprices in Mexican pesos established for the master's works\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWithin this set, the figure of one million pesos constitutes one of the highest documented references, consistent with the painting's considerable format.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnical Sheet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Manel Pujol Baladas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Still Life with Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mixed media and collage on canvas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 130 × 97 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Signed \"M. Pujol Baladas\" in the upper left corner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExhibition provenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Art Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Still life with fish and seafood \/ contemporary still life\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Expressive figuration and material informalism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Original certificate signed by Manel Pujol Baladas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate No.:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e M.P.B. 0158\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDocumented reference value:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1,000,000 MXN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubsequent provenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Private collection; belonging to the group of works certified directly by the artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConservation status:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good general condition, preserving the irregularities and textures inherent to the mixed media and collage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Studio Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the works with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egreatest presence and size in the entire collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe large oval platter loaded with fish and mollusks provides an immediately recognizable image, but the true richness of the piece appears upon closer inspection. Each food item then begins to fragment into press clippings, brushstrokes, lines, and small accumulations of matter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe scale of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e130 × 97 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e allows Pujol Baladas to develop this language with an especially notable breadth: the still life practically stops behaving as a traditional still life and acquires the presence of a large mural composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts format, its provenance from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the date of 1992, and the individual certificate signed by the artist—with a reference of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1,000,000 MXN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the highest in the collection—make \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStill Life with Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e an especially important piece within this collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"El taller del coleccionista","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54900108263757,"sku":null,"price":2500.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/1841\/3901\/files\/DSC_0229_618175c4-8442-4b8d-be2d-a79750507b1a.jpg?v=1790645311","url":"https:\/\/eltallerdelcoleccionista.com\/en\/products\/manel-pujol-baladas-bodegon-con-pescado-1992","provider":"El taller del coleccionista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}