Francisco Iturrino

Acquired in Bilbao by the family of the present owner in the late 1970s; thence by descent 

The canvas has been relined. There is some fine craquelure which appears to be stable, and some scattered spots of light surface dirt throughout the painted surface. Ultra-violet light reveals faint strokes of retouching along the framing edges which fluoresce very faintly. This painting is otherwise in good condition and ready to hang. Presented in a narrow wooden 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 1904-06, Manolas Outside the Bullring was painted in Cordoba during one of the artist’s trips to Andalusia, where he immersed himself in local life and painted vibrant canvases of local festivities. Here, women dressed in the colourful mantones de Manila gathered at the bullring. The bright palette applied in a cloisonné style shows the influence of Iturrino's time in Paris, and in particular of the Fauves. 

Born in Santander, Iturrino grew up in Brussels where he received his first artistic training at the Académie St. Josse-ten-Noode. In 1895 he travelled to Paris, to which he returned on numerous occasions; it was here that his career flourished. Under the patronage of Ambroise Vollard, to whom this work is said to have belonged, Iturrino befriended artists including Picasso, Van Dongen, Derain and Matisse.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, Paris had attracted many Spanish artists including Anglada Camarasa and Pablo Picasso. Iturrino exhibited at the Salon d’Automne in 1903 and 1911 and took part in the Arte Moderno exhibitions in Bilbao (1900, 1905 and 1910), before returning to Spain during the First World War.