259 - ZABALETA, RAFAEL (1907–1960)

ZABALETA, RAFAEL (1907–1960) Oil on canvas. Signed in the lower right corner. Painted in 1931, *The Couple* is one of Rafael Zabaleta’s first major works and the first to receive critical attention. It depicts two figures inside a café, rendered with simplified forms and striking expressiveness, evoking the atmosphere of Edgar Degas’s isolated figures and the formal stylization characteristic of Amedeo Modigliani. The work reflects the young artist’s avant-garde concerns during his formative years in Madrid and his early engagement with modern European painting. Exhibitions: Exhibition of Students of San Fernando, Spanish Society of Friends of Art (Museum of Modern Art), Madrid, 1932. Zabaleta in the Collection of Catalonia, College of Architects of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Barcelona, 1965. Zabaleta. Tribute Exhibition, Adriá Gallery, Barcelona, 1971. Small Formats by Great Artists, Layetanas Gallery, Barcelona, 1975. Tribute to Rafael Zabaleta (1907–1960), Biosca Gallery, Madrid, 1975. Exhibition of Works by Zabaleta, Parés Gallery, Barcelona, 1979. Zabaleta (1907–1960). Tribute Exhibition, Caja de Madrid (Cultural Hall, Barcelona; Casa del Monte, Madrid), 1986. Bibliography: ABRIL GARCÍA, Manuel: Students of San Fernando. Blanco y Negro. Madrid, 1932. Pages 36–37 (Rep.). Various Authors: 101 Zabaleta. Junta de Andalucía, Caja de Jaén, University of Jaén, and Caja Rural de Jaén. Jaén, 2008. Pages 51–52. GUZMÁN PÉREZ, María: Life and Work of R. Zabaleta. Monte de Piedad y Caja de Ahorros de Córdoba. Córdoba, 1985. Page 66 (Rep.). GUZMÁN PÉREZ, María: Rafael Zabaleta. Catalogued Study. Oil Paintings. Vol. 1. Provincial Council of Jaén. Jaén, 2010. Pages 60–61 (Rep.). MARÍN-MEDINA, José: Guide to the Zabaleta Museum. Quesada Town Hall. Quesada (Jaén), 2008. Page 37 (Rep.). RODRÍGUEZ-AGUILERA CONDE, Cesáreo: Rafael Zabaleta, Ten Years Later. *Bellas Artes* 70, no. 2. Madrid, 1970. Page 36 (Rep.). RODRÍGUEZ-AGUILERA CONDE, Cesáreo: Rafael Zabaleta. Publications Service of the Ministry of Education and Science. Madrid, 1971. Page 50 (Rep.). RODRÍGUEZ-AGUILERA CONDE, Cesáreo: Rafael Zabaleta (1907–1960). Paintings and Drawings. Caja General de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Granada. Granada, 1995. Pages 45–46. UREÑA PORTERO, Gabriel (ed.): Zabaleta Homage. Provincial Council of Jaén, Institute of Culture. Jaén, 1984. Page 172 (Rep.). We thank the Association of Friends of Rafael Zabaleta for their contribution to the cataloging of this work. 52 x 66 cm.