Ferran Marti

caged rabbits scene with animals oil on canvas painting

1974

Title: Dalmatian Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (Barcelona, 1919 – 1986) Technique: Oil on canvas mounted on board Dimensions: 43 x 32 cm (16.9 x 12.6 in) Signature: Signed “Tuser” in the lower left corner Support: Canvas mounted on board (reverse side unprimed and visible) Condition: Good. Minor superficial scuffs, no loss of paint. Unframed. Artistic Description The work depicts the bust of a Dalmatian dog against a monochromatic coral-toned background, which contrasts sharply with the animal's black-and-white fur. The artist employs an impasto oil technique, with loose and dense brushstrokes that add energy and volume to the portrait. The dog’s reddish gaze conveys calm and presence, standing out for its restrained expressiveness. The choice of a flat, saturated background enhances the painting’s modern aesthetic, focusing attention on the figure while avoiding unnecessary decorative elements. This visual synthesis is characteristic of Tuser’s expressive style, where plastic strength takes precedence over naturalistic detail. Although primarily known for his bullfighting and folkloric scenes, Dalmatian reveals Tuser’s versatility in the genre of animal portraiture, with a painterly treatment reminiscent of certain contemporary figurative expressionist approaches. About the Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (1919–1986) José María Tuser Vázquez was born in Barcelona in 1919 and trained at the School of Arts and Crafts in the Catalan capital. He was a prolific artist, specializing in bullfighting scenes, popular figures, and Mediterranean landscapes. His painting is characterized by confident brushwork, expressive use of color, and straightforward compositions that convey vitality. He worked on various supports—canvas, board, cardboard—and also mastered techniques such as watercolor and ink. Throughout his career, he exhibited in galleries and fairs, and his works have been widely auctioned in Spain and France, including a record-breaking sale in 2025. His style blends elements of Spanish costumbrismo with a modern sensibility, distancing itself from strict academicism. A portion of his work is known to be held in a dedicated collection in Nîmes (France), a city with strong ties to bullfighting. Comparable Artists In terms of style, subject matter, and vigorous brushwork, his work can be compared to: José Caballero (1916–1991): Especially for his expressive portraits and textured brushstrokes. Eduardo Úrculo...

Title: Bullfighting Scene Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (1919-1986) Technique: Oil on board Dimensions: 25.6 x 21.3 in (65 x 54 cm) Frameless Period: Second half of the 20th century Art Movement: Figurative Expressionism with Impressionist influences Condition: Good, with visible signs of aging on the surface DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK This painting captures a crucial moment in a bullfight, where the matador, dressed in a dazzling traje de luces (suit of lights), elegantly holds the red cape (muleta) while facing a wounded bull. The scene conveys tension and drama through energetic and loose brushwork, with strong contrasts of light and color that enhance its expressiveness. The abstract background, built with gestural brushstrokes in warm, earthy tones, reinforces the dynamism and immediacy of the moment. The thick texture of the paint and the vibrant colors in the matador's attire and cape are characteristic of Figurative Expressionism, giving the work a strong emotional impact. Tuser masterfully captures the essence of movement and the intensity of the bullfight through a painterly approach reminiscent of Impressionism, but with a greater emphasis on gesture and expressive color, making his work stand out for its raw energy and dramatic depth. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY José María Tuser Vázquez (Barcelona, 1919 - 1986) was a Spanish painter specialized in bullfighting themes, gaining recognition in the 20th-century art scene for his expressive depictions of the corrida (bullfight). He studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Barcelona, where he developed a strong mastery of color and composition. From 1947 onwards, his work focused almost entirely on bullfighting, creating posters, illustrations, and paintings that capture the emotion and spectacle of the arena. He was a frequent collaborator with El Ruedo magazine, where his illustrations and covers solidified his reputation. Additionally, in the 1940s, he designed series of postcards featuring traditional Spanish costumes for the Artigas Publishing House. His work has been auctioned in several art houses and is highly valued among collectors of bullfighting paintings. His influence and legacy in tauromaquia (bullfighting art...