This sophisticated modernist portrait was realized by the esteemed artist Manuel Angele Ortiz in Spain, circa 1950. The work realized in a style influenced by the work of Pablo Picasso features a highly stylized and abstracted rendition of a woman's face in grisaille tones. The work takes great liberties with proportions and makes little attempt at faithfully recording her features, but more so the "feeling" of her aspect. Her mouth is appears as an ovoid blip with striations (suggesting eyelashes); her eyes and mouth are created from amorphic areas of unpigmented paper, leaving areas of negative space; and her eyebrows appear like laurels. Here irisis are but little spherical dots floating in ovoid lakes of white. This portrait is a celebration of form, and the craft of creation- realizing a face that is at once recognizable, yet has features that are abstracted into their most rudimentary form. Like Picasso, Ortiz employs a "child-like" approach to recreating a prosaic aspect of the universe anew from a fresh vantage. With its monochromatic, grisaille palate and clean modernist lines, this piece would be a winning addition to any style of interior from classic Mid Century Modern to contemporary. It comes presented in a gallery frame and is in excellent vintage condition.

Spain, circa 1950

Ortiz is featured in notable private and institutional collections throughout the world, including in the collection of the New York MoMA.

Creation Year: circa 1950

Dimensions:

Height: 26 in (66.04 cm) x Width: 18 in (45.72 cm) x Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)

Medium: Ink

Movement & Style: Abstract Expressionist

Period: 1950-1959

Condition: Excellent

Gallery Location: New York, NY

Reference Number: LU711311241202