MARIANO RODRÍGUEZ | Pareja

Jorge Fernández de Castro & Marta Sardiña, Cuba (acquired directly from the artist)
Private Collection, Miami (acquired from the above) 
Acquired from the above by the present owner circa 2013

Venice, Palazzo Centrale, XXVI Biennale di Venezia, Cuban Exhibition, 1952, n.n.
Havana, Lyceum, Lozano-Mariano, 1952, n.n. 
Havana, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Mariano Rodríguez. Exposición retrospectiva., 1975, no. 483
Havana, Galería Haydée Santamaría, Casa de las Américas, Mariano, una energía voluptuosa, 1998, no. 101

Rafael Marquina, "El arte moderno del pintor Mariano y del escultor Lozano," in Información, Havana, September 14, 1952, n.p. 
José Veigas Zamora & Beatriz Gago, Mariano: Catálogo Razonado, Pintura, dibujo y cerámica 1950-1966, vol. II, Madrid, 2017, no. 52.01, illustrated in color p. 99 

This work is unlined. The stretcher may not be original. There are five patches on the reverse applied to support some unevenness to the paint layer. There is a vertical restoration about 2 inches long in the upper right, perhaps addressing a break in the canvas. There is a loss which has been restored in teh black arc shape in the center of the right side, and two other small restorations to the immediate right of this. There is a small restoration in the lower left. The work otherwise seems to be in good condition. Despite what may be fairly recent restorations, it does not seem that the paint layer has ever been properly cleaned. The work may respond well to cleaning, but could also be hung in its current state. (This condition report has been provided courtesy of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.)
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

We wish to thank Alejandro Rodríguez and the Fundación Arte Cubano for their kind assistance in confirming the authenticity of this work.