58 - RICARDO CANALS

RICARDO CANALS Barcelona 1876–1931 Portrait of Benedetta Bianco Oil on cardboard Signed Dimensions 41.5 x 35.5 cm An elegant portrait of Benedetta Bianco, Ricardo Canals’ wife and one of his favorite models. Of Italian origin, Benedetta became involved in the Parisian art scene of the early 20th century, where she posed for artists such as Edgar Degas and Albert Bartholomé, before marrying Canals in 1906. The figure is seated, with a serene and contemplative expression, against a landscape background rendered with a free and vibrant brushstroke. The contrast between the delicacy of the face and the spontaneity of the execution is particularly striking, as is the richness of the mauve, green, and pink tones of the dress and the surroundings. The portrait belongs to the artist’s most intimate period and attests to Benedetta’s importance as a model within his body of work. Benedetta Bianco’s unique personality was also immortalized by Pablo Picasso, a close friend of Canals during his years in Paris, in the celebrated *Portrait of Mrs. Canals* (1905), now in the Museu Picasso in Barcelona.