signed, titled and dated 2007 on the reverse, framed

Marlborough Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above

This work is in very good condition. All elements are stable and securely adhered to the surface. Under close inspection, there is evidence of scattered light dirt and blue powder pigments along the edges of the frame, unobtrusive to the image. No restoration is apparent when examined under ultraviolet light. This work was not examined out of the frame. Framed under Plexiglas.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A leading figure of Spanish Pop Art, Manolo Valdés is renowned for the diversity of his artistic medium. Throughout his career, Valdés has explored a variety of materials including paintings, prints, sculptures, and drawings. His work draws subjective inspiration from masterpieces of the past, especially those of Velázquez, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Matisse. In some of his sculptures and portraits, Valdés has referenced one of Velázquez most celebrated late portraits, La infanta María Teresa de España, which depicts the princess posing in a majestic manner for potential royal suitors at the age of 14. However, choosing the subject is simply the first step for Valdés — his approach to art is not to focus on the subject, but rather the process itself. Through examining ideas of cultural inheritance, Valdés creates new aesthetic objects in his reinterpretation. The current work, for example, is the artist’s recontextualisation of the Western portraiture tradition using his unique contemporary visual language.

In Retrato Con Fondo Naranja, or Portrait with Orange Background, Valdés depicts the frontal view of a semi-abstract feminine figure. In the background, the glowing and energetic orange hue is balanced with splatters of tranquil blue. Her right countenance, rendered in creamy yellow along with the mysterious blue eye-shadow, appears vigilant and mellow. In contrast, the other half of the visage, more roughly painted, is darkened and contorted; the hollow eyes and somber palette perhaps reveal the conflicting personalities or complex emotions about the subject. The seemingly wild brush work and feverish color, in addition to simplified shapes and abstract forms, recall early twentieth-century modern art movements. In particular, the current work shows direct influence of Fauvism in the use of bright colors and flattened perspective. While the patches of green create shadows and contrasts that resemble Henri Matisse’s chef d’oeuvre La Raie verte, the orange background pay tribute to the fauve color frequently used by artists in their landscapes and portraits.

Using his highly personal and visual language, Valdés has introduced to Spain a form of expression that combined political and social critique with humor and irony. In 1964, Manolo Valdés, along with Rafael Solbes and Joan Toledo, formed Equipo Crónica, a leading Spanish manifestation of the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. The group rebuked the Spanish dictatorship of Francisco Franco and questioned the administration’s repressive official culture. During this period, Valdés was featured in over seventy solo exhibitions. The group eventually disbanded in 1981 and Valdés has since embarked on his own characteristic revisions. He has received various accolades including Valencia’s Alfons Roig Prize and National Fine Arts Award, Spain. Valdés currently resides in N꧋ew York and Madrid, and his works are included in numerous important public collections around the globe.