235 - Musician Angel; Spain, late 17th–early 18th century.

Musician Angel; Spain, late 17th–early 18th century. Carved, polychromed, and gilded wood. It shows damage to the carving and polychrome paint. One of the wings is not secured. Measurements: 34 x 28 x 8 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. A Baroque sculpture depicting a young male musician angel playing a plucked-string instrument, possibly a vihuela, whose silhouette resembles that of a guitar. The figure, with a dynamic pose and naturalistic rendering, wears a tunic decorated with floral motifs and adopts an open posture that lends movement and expressiveness to the composition. The wings, spread asymmetrically, accentuate the sense of dynamism and reinforce the image’s upward-reaching character. The depiction of angel musicians is one of the most evocative motifs in Baroque religious art, in which music is interpreted as an expression of celestial harmony and divine praise. These figures were often part of iconographic programs for altarpieces and sculptural ensembles, helping to create an atmosphere of solemnity and visual richness. It shows signs of damage to the carving and polychromy. One of the wings has not been reinforced.