131 - Architectural fragment. Andalusia, 16th–17th centuries.

Architectural fragment. Andalusia, 16th–17th centuries. Carved stone. Measurements: 40 x 47 x 38 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. An architectural fragment carved from stone, originating from Andalusia in the 16th–17th centuries, notable for the rich ornamentation of its reliefs and its sculptural character. The piece features a compact structure, decorated on its various sides with stylized plant motifs, leaves, volutes, and classically inspired elements, arranged in a composition with a distinctly decorative character. Its ornamental repertoire reflects the persistence of Renaissance motifs in Andalusian architecture of the Early Modern period, where classical tradition coexisted with highly expressive decorative solutions. Of particular interest is the treatment of the reliefs, which combines geometric forms and organic motifs. The surface bears the marks of time, with wear, material loss, and a natural patina that accentuates its historical character. Given its configuration, it may have been part of a supporting element or architectural finial, constituting an interesting testament to the tradition of Andalusian ornamental stonework.