RICARD OPISSO | THE SAILOR AND THE YOUNG WOMAN | MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER | CATALAN COSTUMBRISM

RICARD OPISSO | THE SAILOR AND THE YOUNG WOMAN | HAND-COLORED PRINT | CATALAN COSTUMBRISMO

An eternal moment of Barcelona bohemia. A vintage graphic print with manual color intervention that captures the freshness and unmistakable style of the master of costumbrismo.

CURATORIAL HISTORY AND ANALYSIS

Chronicle of an Urban Flirtation

Ricard Opisso i Sala (1880–1966) didn't just illustrate scenes; he captured the vibrancy of a society in constant motion. In this work, he transports us to an imprecise urban corner—perhaps near the port or El Paral·lel—where a sailor and a modern young woman stop time in a play of glances and relaxed poses.

The piece breathes the freshness of Catalan bohemian circles. Opisso masterfully uses the visual contrast between the geometric neatness of the white uniform and the chromatic explosion of the female attire—rendered in vibrant magenta and aqua green tones—to narrate a story of encounter and street seduction. It is a print that speaks of youth and the artist's unique ability to transform the everyday into something transcendental.

The Uniqueness of Manual Intervention

What distinguishes this work from a simple industrial reproduction is its technical execution. Starting from a printed graphic base that defines the unmistakable "clear line" and the artist's signature in the lower right corner, the piece features manual intervention. The fluid application of water-based pigments (gouache or watercolor) and subtle highlights can be seen, giving the contours a vibration and material relief. Being hand-colored, each copy becomes an exclusive variant.

The material history of the piece is completed on its reverse, where an affectionate handwritten dedication in ballpoint pen certifies its provenance and life journey: the work was given as a gift of "affection and camaraderie" on March 3, 1978.

WHY IS THIS PIECE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR COLLECTION?

• Uniqueness in the Edition: The manual color intervention ensures that no two copies are exactly alike, granting the collector the exclusivity of a work with a material presence.

• Prestigious Signature: Endorsed by the iconic "opisso" signature (in lowercase) on the matrix, the print bears the stamp of one of the most international artists of Catalan modernism, whose iconography is a safe haven in the art market.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Author: Ricard Opisso i Sala (Barcelona, 1880 - 1966).

• Title / Theme: Sailor and young woman / Urban scene (Illustration / Costumbrismo).

• Estimated Period of the Matrix: First half of the 20th century.

• Technique and Support: Intervened mixed media (vintage graphic base hand-illuminated with watercolor/gouache) on paper.

• Documented Dimensions: 17.5 x 12.5 cm (Cabinet / postcard format).

• Signature and Inscriptions: Signature "opisso" in the composition (lower right corner). On the reverse, an autographed dedication of provenance dated 1978.

• Condition: Excellent general condition. 

THE WORKSHOP'S NOTE

Artworks have a life of their own and pass between generations. This intervened piece is not only a window into Opisso's visual ingenuity but also the physical testimony of a friendship sealed in 1978. A piece full of charm, irony, and color, perfect for starting a graphic collection with a print that has soul and history.

Collector's Dossier Included: This artwork comes with a research study of the work, prepared and printed by El Taller del Coleccionista, certifying our research and known provenance.