{"product_id":"manel-pujol-baladas-torso-desnudo-1993","title":"Manel Pujol Baladas — Nude Torso (1993) — Art Miami — Large certified mixed media and collage","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned and dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1993\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaked Torso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a large-format work by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManel Pujol Baladas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, created on canvas and belonging to the collection 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\u003eWith dimensions of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e116 × 89 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the composition is structured around a large, naked female torso that vertically occupies the center of the piece. The figure is constructed using whites, bluish grays, earth tones, and blacks, surrounded by a complex web of objects, printed papers, press fragments, and collage elements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the lower area, an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eopen book\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e stands out, formed by authentic pages incorporated onto the surface. One of them contains literary text headed by the word \"Mephistopheles\"; next to it, an old musical score introduces a second printed language into the painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe body, literature, and music are thus brought together within the same structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe body as the axis of the composition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe female torso dominates the work and organizes the entire space vertically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas avoids any academic treatment of the nude. The body appears elongated, fragmented, and partially reconstructed through paint smears and thick black contours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe chest and the curve of the torso allow the figure to be immediately identified, but other areas dissolve amidst collage, pigment, and abstract forms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe nude is not, therefore, presented as an anatomical exercise. It becomes a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epictorial structure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e around which the rest of the elements are organized.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe figure emerges from the matter and, at the same time, seems to be absorbed by it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA nude between figuration and abstraction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom a certain distance, the reading of the body is clear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUpon approaching, however, the anatomy begins to lose continuity. Large grayish planes mix with paper fragments, white brushstrokes, dark stains, and various overlays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas maintains only the references necessary for the viewer to mentally reconstruct the figure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis tension between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003erecognition and dissolution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e provides the work with much of its intensity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe body remains present, but ceases to be a closed form to become integrated into the entire pictorial surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe open book: literature within the painting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the lower part of the composition appears one of the work's most unique elements: an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eopen book formed by real pages adhered to the canvas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe leaves remain wrinkled, partially covered by pigment and crossed by small pictorial interventions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn one of them, the name \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Mephistopheles”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e can be clearly read, along with various fragments of dialogue and text.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe incorporation of these pages literally introduces the written word into the painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is not simply about representing a book: Pujol Baladas uses the real object—its pages, its typography, and its folds—as pictorial material.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe musical score\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe right page of the book is formed by a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emusical score\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose staves and notes remain perfectly recognizable despite the paint interventions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis element establishes an interesting relationship with other works by Pujol Baladas in which music appears physically integrated through printed fragments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHere, however, literature and music appear together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eText, score, and human body form three distinct languages—word, sound, and image—superimposed within the same composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis detail lends \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaked Torso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e a conceptual complexity unusual in the artist's still lifes and figurative scenes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollage and matter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surface incorporates numerous fragments of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epress, printed text, and cut paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, partially hidden under layers of paint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn some areas, news, figures, and newspaper columns can be recognized; in others, the printing has been reduced to a simple graphic texture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas does not clearly differentiate between painting and collage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrushstrokes traverse the cutouts, continue onto the canvas, and disappear again under new layers of paper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe folds, edges, and small irregularities of the collage remain visible and provide relief to the surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe work thus functions not only as an image, but also as a physical construction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA complex palette\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the central body is dominated by whites and bluish grays, the composition incorporates numerous secondary tones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePinks, earth tones, ochres, greens, and small red accents are distributed across the rest of the surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese warm zones contrast with the cooler character of the torso and help to visually separate it from the background.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe black contours act as a structural element and connect different parts of the composition, while the wide whites provide luminosity and depth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is a chromatically rich painting that maintains its unity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe body surrounded by objects and symbols\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe figure does not appear isolated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAround the torso are distributed different circular forms, fruits, containers, and elements difficult to identify with precision, which refer back to the habitual vocabulary of Pujol Baladas's still lifes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, the presence of the human figure completely transforms their meaning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe work ceases to belong exclusively to the genre of still life and becomes a more open composition, where \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebody, objects, literature, and music\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e coexist within the same space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis accumulation contributes to the enigmatic nature of the piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1993: a painting of full material maturity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe autograph date \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“93”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, visible next to the signature, places the work at a particularly significant moment in Pujol Baladas's output.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the early 1990s, the artist had fully developed a language based on the combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexpressive figuration, collage, gestural painting, and material informalism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaked Torso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, all these elements appear especially well-integrated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe anatomy provides the initial structure, but it is the accumulation of matter, paper, and pigment that ultimately determines the character of the work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaked Torso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e belongs to the collection of Manel Pujol Baladas works linked to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, from the period of the artist's international expansion during the first half of the nineties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis provenance places the painting in an exhibition context that is particularly relevant within his career.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elarge format, autograph date, exhibition provenance, and direct documentation from the artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e allows the piece to be contextualized with particular 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. 0156\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe document records the title \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaked Torso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the mixed media, the dimensions of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e116 × 89 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and a reference value of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e740,000 Mexican pesos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is a discrepancy regarding the date: the certificate records \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while the painting itself bears the autograph inscription \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“93”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e next to the signature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor this reason, this cataloging uses \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1993\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as the primary date, as it is the date written directly on the work, while also noting the 1992 date included in the subsequent certificate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe artist's studio has further 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.\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 Naked Torso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1993, according to the autograph date visible on the work\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDocumentary note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Certificate M.P.B. 0156 records 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 116 × 89 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Signed “M. Pujol Baladas” and dated “93” in the upper right 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 Nude \/ contemporary figurative composition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollage elements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Text pages, musical score, and printed press\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. 0156\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDocumented reference value:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 740,000 MXN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubsequent provenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Private collection; belonging to the set 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 textures, folds, and reliefs inherent to the mixed media and collage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStudio Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emost iconographically complex works of the collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe large female torso provides an immediately recognizable image, but upon approaching, other levels of reading appear: press, superimposed papers, a literary page headed by “Mephistopheles,” and a musical score authentically incorporated into the collage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePujol Baladas thus brings together \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebody, word, and music\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on the same surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe contrast between the monumentality of the nude and the physical fragility of the pages, wrinkled and partially covered by pigment, is especially interesting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elarge format of 116 × 89 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the autograph signature and date of 1993, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArt Miami\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e provenance, and the individual certificate signed by the artist himself make \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaked Torso\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e one of the most complete and unique pieces from this period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-taller-blog-reference=\"20261019\"\u003eThis work is discussed alongside other paintings and works on paper in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/cronicas\/manel-pujol-baladas-de-dali-al-informalismo-sinestesico-y-la-consagracion-del-arte-catalan\"\u003eTaller’s study of his painting in the 1990s\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"El taller del coleccionista","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54900101677389,"sku":null,"price":2400.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/1841\/3901\/files\/DSC_0131_cedc6591-3bb7-470f-9a6f-f8ff3532d916.jpg?v=1790644890","url":"https:\/\/eltallerdelcoleccionista.com\/en\/products\/manel-pujol-baladas-torso-desnudo-1993","provider":"El taller del coleccionista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}