José María Sert Barcelona 1874-1945

Dr Antoni Puigvert
Acquired from the above by the family of the present owner

Alberto del Castillo and Alexandre Cirici, José María Sert. Su vida y su obra, Barcelona & Buenos Aires, 1947, p. 302-304, the mural discussed

The board is flat and even. There are no signs of retouching visible under ultraviolet light, and apart from two minor flecks of paint loss to the lower right, this work is in very good condition and ready to hang. Held in a simple, narrow, gold-painted moulded plaster and wood frame.
"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."

Painted circa 1944, the present work is an oil study for the ceiling decoration of the Music Room of the Palacio March in Palma de Mallorca. Sert transformed the walls of the room into a circus tent, painting the audience ranged around the edges leaning from balconies (see previous lot).

Sert's incorporation of the aeronaut theme into the ceiling design had evolved from his use of the subject in three earlier decorative projects, one for Harrison Williams' Tennis Pavilion in Long Island, one for the Becker residence in Brussels in 1930, and one for the ballroom of Prince Mdivani of Georgia in Venice in 1934-35.