Ramón Hernández — La Faena: Gestural Bullfighting — Original Ink dedicated to Santiago de Les

The strength of the stroke and the tension of the bullring. A masterful sketch bordering on abstraction, personally dedicated to the painter Santiago de Les.

The dynamism of the wash and negative space

This original work by Ramón Hernández stands out for its extraordinary economy of means and resounding plastic expressiveness. Moving away from static and traditional bullfighting prints, the artist captures all the dramatic tension and movement of a pass (probably a pass of the chest) using only the contrast of black and white. The technique is masterful: Hernández applies the brush heavily loaded with ink to define the areas of deep shadow —the anatomy of the bull and the bullfighter's jacket— and uses the white of the paper (negative space) to brilliantly suggest the light and volume of the cape. The result is a quickly executed, agile drawing of undeniable modernity.

A biographical document: the gift between creators

Beyond its obvious technical quality, the great historical and curatorial value of this piece lies in its handwritten dedication: "To the marvelous artist Santiago de Les, providential genius, of the precious art of fine rendering. With all admiration, Ramón Hernández." Santiago de Les was a renowned Valencian painter (1898-1961), which makes this drawing a direct testimony of the camaraderie, respect, and connection between artists of the era. This provenance elevates the work, transforming it from a simple studio sketch into a unique biographical document.

Technical Data Sheet

• Artist: Ramón Hernández (Spanish School of the 20th century).

• Title / Theme: La Faena (Bullfighting Pass) / Bullfighting and gestural portrait.

• Technique: Original drawing in India ink and wash.

• Support: Drawing paper.

• Dimensions: 30 x 44.5 cm.

• Inscriptions: Signed "Ramón Hernández" and dedicated by his own hand in the central right area.

• Style / Movement: Figurative Expressionism / Avant-garde Art.

• Provenance: Private Collection (linked to the direct circle of the painter Santiago de Les).

• Condition: Good. The support has a slight brownish tone and faint foxing consistent with its age. Small perforations in the corners are compatible with an earlier fixing of the paper.

The Taller Note

The sketch concentrates the bullfighting scene into a few strokes. Selected contours and areas of shadow make the movement recognisable without describing every detail.