{"product_id":"manel-pujol-baladas-pescado-y-mano-1990-art-miami","title":"Manel Pujol Baladas — Fish and Hand (1990) — Material collage on paper — Certified work","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreated in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1990\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish and Hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an intense mixed-media work on paper by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManel Pujol Baladas (Vic, 1947)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, fully representative of the material experimentation developed by the artist at the turn of the decade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn a surface of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e56 × 75 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a large fish occupies practically the entire composition. Its anatomy remains recognizable, yet it has been constructed and fragmented through paint, drawing, and numerous cutouts of printed paper, transforming the motif into a structure of extraordinary graphic force.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlacks, whites, grays, and earth tones dominate the work. Against this deliberately restricted palette, the collage introduces small variations of beige and the typography of the printed fragments, while thick dark lines organize the figure and accentuate its monumentality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fish as a monumental form\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas enlarges the fish until it practically coincides with the limits of the work itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHead, eye, body, and tail are subjected to strong simplification. The large circular eye immediately focuses attention, while the body is built through an accumulation of papers, stains, and strokes that roughly follow the animal's anatomy without describing it in a naturalistic way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe black line plays a fundamental role: it traverses the composition, delineates certain volumes, and disappears in others, creating a continuous oscillation between drawing and matter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fish thus ceases to be merely the subject of a still life to become a true \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epictorial architecture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe hand: presence and gesture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the upper left area appears the form that gives meaning to the second part of the title: a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehighly stylized hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, rendered through large dark contours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts presence introduces a human dimension into a composition dominated by the animal. Compared to the compact and horizontal weight of the fish, the hand possesses a more open and gestural character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas does not develop a conventional narrative scene. The relationship between both forms remains deliberately open: fish and hand confront each other within the same space without the need to explain a specific action.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis ambiguity broadens the reading of the work and distances it even further from a traditional still life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollage and matter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA good part of the fish's body is formed by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efragments of press and printed paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, cut and superimposed in different directions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe detail photographs show with particular clarity how words appear, disappear, and re-emerge between layers of black, white, and gray paint. Some papers remain practically intact; others have been almost completely covered or turned into small abstract units.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas does not use collage as ornamentation. The paper literally forms the body of the fish and participates in its construction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe paint applied over these cutouts, the folds, the small differences in level, and the overlapping edges give the surface a physical presence that is especially noticeable when the work is observed up close.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBetween figure and abstraction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most interesting aspects of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish and Hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the ease with which its interpretation changes depending on the distance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom afar, a huge, perfectly recognizable fish appears. Upon approaching, its body decomposes into letters, newspaper fragments, pigment stains, thick lines, and small accumulations of matter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe figure never disappears completely, but it does not totally dominate the painting either.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis constant tension between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003erecognizable image and autonomy of the surface\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e constitutes one of the foundations of the language developed by Pujol Baladas during these years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe support as part of the work\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse also retains a previous graphic intervention, with large dark fields, remnants of color, and registration marks visible in the margins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis detail allows for a particularly good appreciation of the experimental character of the support used by Pujol Baladas. The sheet does not function as a neutral surface: it possesses its own material history that is incorporated into the piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe use of previously printed or intervened papers, along with the press collage applied on the obverse, reinforces the sensation of a work constructed through \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eaccumulation, reuse, and transformation of materials\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1990: a moment of transformation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe date of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1990\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e places the work in an especially interesting period of Manel Pujol Baladas's trajectory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring these years, his production is in the full process of consolidating a personal synthesis between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efiguration, collage, gesture, and material informalism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The fish—a recurring motif in different works from this period—adapts especially well to this language, as it allows for the preservation of a clear figurative structure while the interior of the form becomes a true field of experimentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish and Hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e constitutes an especially clear example of that transformation.\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. 0153\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\u003eFish and Hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, its execution in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1990\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the mixed media, and its dimensions of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e56 × 75 cm\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\u003e300,000 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\u003eThe artist's studio has confirmed that the figures recorded 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, thus providing a direct reference from the artist himself, distinct from secondary market quotes.\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 Fish and Hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1990\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mixed media and collage on paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 56 × 75 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Signed “M. Pujol Baladas” in the lower right corner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fish and human figure \/ contemporary figuration\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\u003eReverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Previously intervened graphic surface, with visible registration marks\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. 0153\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDocumented reference value:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 300,000 MXN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Private collection; belonging to the set of works certified directly by the artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good general condition, preserving the irregularities and reliefs characteristic of mixed media and collage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorkshop Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emost direct and forceful images among the works on paper in this set\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe enormous fish dominates almost completely the composition, but upon approaching it, its body ceases to be a compact form and begins to fragment into printed news, brushstrokes, stains, and small strata of paper. The large circular eye and deep blacks provide the work with an immediate visual intensity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe presence of the hand also adds a human element that breaks with the conventional reading of the still life and leaves the relationship between both figures open.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1990\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e date, the powerful treatment of the collage, and the individual certificate signed by Pujol Baladas make \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish and Hand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e a piece especially characteristic of the stage in which the artist takes figuration to the limit of material abstraction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"El taller del coleccionista","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54900085588301,"sku":null,"price":900.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/1841\/3901\/files\/DSC_0041_6f71c47f-40ca-46f4-8ca6-b1a1304bd187.jpg?v=1790643820","url":"https:\/\/eltallerdelcoleccionista.com\/en\/products\/manel-pujol-baladas-pescado-y-mano-1990-art-miami","provider":"El taller del coleccionista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}