VICENTE NAVARRO | LANCE WITH THE PIKES (BULLFIGHTING SKETCH) | MIXED MEDIA WITH VARNISH | VALENCIAN SCHOOL

VICENTE NAVARRO | PIQUE (BULLFIGHTING SKETCH) | VARNISHED MIXED MEDIA | VALENCIAN SCHOOL

The bravery of the bullfight and the rigor of the Valencian School, captured in a vibrant original sketch. A scene of enormous dynamism encapsulated under a rich varnished finish that gives it the tactile quality of an enamel.

HISTORY AND CURATORIAL ANALYSIS

The live sketch and the tension of the bullring

Vicente Navarro Romero (1888-1979), an academic at the Real de San Carlos in Valencia, was an absolute master of anatomical drawing and a key figure in 20th-century Spanish illustration and costumbrismo. In this intimate format piece, Navarro condenses all his narrative wisdom to capture the moment of maximum tension in the first third of the bullfight: the pique (suerte de varas).

With an energetic, nervous, and highly gestural stroke, the artist depicts the picador—perfectly attired with his castoreño (a type of hat)—withstanding the bull's charge. In a masterful use of perspective and framing, Navarro places the sketched figures of other bullfighters leaning against the barrier in the foreground, giving the composition an almost photographic depth.

The alchemy of varnish: the "jewel effect"

What distinguishes this print and multiplies its interest for collectors of graphic art is its unusual finish. Over a quick mixed-media drawing (probably waxes, grease pencil, or pastel), the artist has deliberately applied a dense layer of varnish. This technical decision not only seals and protects the fragility of the paper but also acts as an optical lens: it dramatically saturates the palette of earth tones, terracottas, and the green flashes of the picador's jacket, creating a deep sheen that emulates the material richness of an oil painting or a glazed ceramic piece.

WHY THIS PIECE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR COLLECTION

• Bullfighting Erudition: The work shies away from the complacent tourist souvenir to offer a raw, brave, and academically perfect vision of the pique, a highly sought-after niche in international bullfighting collecting.

• Established Signature and Documentary Mystery: Authenticated by the bold signature "V. NAVARRO" in the lower-left corner, the print also hides an intriguing handwritten inscription almost faded by time just above the signature, adding an aura of historical document to the piece.

• The Value of the Sketch (Apunte): For great connoisseurs, the sketch or quick study is often superior to the finished work, as it shows the artist's first intention, urgency, and true genius without filters or workshop corrections.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Author: Vicente Navarro Romero (Valencia, 1888 - Barcelona, 1979).

• Title / Theme: Pique / The Picador (Bullfighting / Spanish Costumbrismo).

• Estimated Period: Mid-20th century.

• Technique and Support: Original mixed media (grease pencil / waxes) on cardboard or rigid paper, entirely sealed by the artist with a dense protective layer of varnish.

• Documented Dimensions: 12 x 15 cm (Cabinet / miniature format).

• Signature and Inscriptions: Hand-signed "V. NAVARRO" in the lower-left corner. Shows traces of period handwritten calligraphy (faded) above the signature.

• Style / Movement: Dynamic figuration / Valencian School.

• Provenance: Private collection / Gallery stock.

• Condition of Conservation: Excellent archival quality. The support is sound, and the unusual layer of varnish maintains its stability, protecting the pigments and guaranteeing exceptional chromatic contrast.

THE WORKSHOP'S NOTE

This work demonstrates that mastery does not require large canvases to express itself. Navarro's urgent stroke conveys the violence of the clash between horse and bull, while the varnished finish freezes that energy in time, transforming a simple drawing into a precious object. An erudite acquisition for the bullfighting cabinet that values classic craftsmanship and the aesthetics of the moment.

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