ΦCarlos Nadal (Spanish 1917-1998)

ΦCarlos Nadal (Spanish 1917-1998)
Intérieur à la fenêtre ouvrant sur la mer Méditerranée
Signed cNadal (lower right), and further signed and inscribed INTÉRIEUR Á LA/FENÊTRE SUR LA MER MEDITERRANE/cNadal and with atelier stamp (to the reverse)
Oil on canvas
65.5 x 81.5cm

Provenance:
Sotheby's, London, Impressionist and Modern Art, 23 March 2005, lot 213, where purchased by the present private collectors

Through his vibrant palette and fluid, expressive line, Carlos Nadal transformed ordinary interiors into joyous, celebratory paintings and today is considered one of the most significant Spanish artists of the 20th Century. His work was heavily influenced by the Fauves, leading to the intense contrasts of colour that we see in Intérieur à la fenêtre ouvrant sur la mer Méditerranée. Nadal frequently made references to other artists in his work, and the motif of painting a scene beyond an open window, which we see in the present work, was a favourite of Matisse’s, who Nadal met in 1948. Nadal’s paintings are joyous and optimistic, reflecting his view that one should “look up and around, not down at the pavement – enjoy life”.

The authenticity of the present work has been confirmed by the Comité Nadal.