MARIANO BENLLIURE Valencia (1862) / Madrid (1947) "Canto primaverile", 1894

Charcoal and clarion on paper. Signed, dated and titled. This beautiful song to spring was made in Rome, the city where Benlliure lived and had his studio since 1881. It represents a happy procession of children who sing and dance to the sound of different musical instruments to welcome the spring season. year in which nature is reborn. It is sketched with a safe and loose line in charcoal and clarion, with a strong contrast of chiaroscuro, which seems to hint at its future chiseling in relief using marble. Both this treatment of the drawing, as well as the theme and the composition, are related to two important works by the sculptor: the sarcophagus of the mausoleum of the tenor Julian Gayarre (1891-1895) and the allegory of music on the frieze of the music room of the Bauer Palace ( 1895-1898). These two groups, carved in Carrara marble, also feature similar groups of children singing and dancing. The work is dedicated to his friend and painter Jose Rico Cejudo (Seville, 1864-1939), who lived in Rome between 1888 and 1895, pensioned by the Seville City Council. We would like to thank the Mariano Benlliure Foundation and, in particular, Mrs. Lucrecia Enseñat Benlliure for the help provided in cataloging this lot. Measurements: 63 x 147 cm.