106 - Ionic capital; Roman period, 2nd century A.D.

Ionic capital; Roman period, 2nd century A.D. Carved stone. Measurements: 24 x 31 x 32 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. Ionic capital carved from stone, with a distinctly architectural composition, featuring a molded upper abacus, spiral-shaped lateral volutes, and an equine decorated with plant motifs. The lower section features a truncated cone-shaped calyx, articulated by vertical fluting that accentuates its rhythm and verticality. The piece reflects an interpretation of the classical tradition, in which the elegance of the Ionic order is expressed through the symmetry of the volutes, the articulation of the molded elements, and the contrast between the smooth surfaces and the ornamental relief. Its craftsmanship, characterized by bold modeling and schematic execution, gives special prominence to the volumes and the expressiveness of the carving. Due to its formal characteristics, it stands as a testament to the Greco-Roman architectural repertoire and its continued presence in monumental ornamentation. The capital features a recognizable structure of the classical Ionic order, but with relatively schematic carving, compact volutes, and simplified ornamentation. These features can be linked to the Roman architectural tradition, which reinterpreted Greek models, although they do not, on their own, allow for the establishment of a definitive early chronology. There are Roman parallels from the 2nd–3rd centuries CE in the collections of the Princeton University Art Museum and Sir John Soane’s Museum.