By Jose Maria Tuser Vazquez
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
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...
Category
1960s Impressionist Catherine Ingleby Art
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Board
