伍澤樞 鬥牛士 油彩畫布

款識 ：
伍澤樞 D. WU JECT-KEY （左下）

亞洲私人收藏

This work is in good condition. The canvas has been relined. There is evidence of light wear at the bottom left corner. Under UV: there is evidence of scattered small spots of retouching, primarily near the edges of the work.
"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."

註：畫背貼有紐約沙瑪冠帝俱樂部標籤

伍澤樞─鬥牛士
作為第一代旅美華人藝術家，伍澤樞的繪畫呈現深刻的時代烙印。生於十九世紀末，伍澤樞自1902年即移民美洲，並在加拿大皇家藝術學院、紐約大中央藝術學院及藝術學生聯盟接受正規訓練。相比年長二十二歲的李鐵夫，以及年輕十六歲的朱沅芷，其繪畫正好呈現油畫從古典走向現代之蛻變，其準確的人物比例與光影關係，無疑出於嚴謹的學院派鍛煉，而他喜用率性鬆動的筆觸，以及貫徹寫生經驗之色彩，則與印象派如出一轍，可說以寫實主義為骨幹，印象主義為肌理。在伍澤樞的一次個展上，他的好友、紐約大學藝術系主任沃倫．寶華（Warren Bower）在圖錄上稱讚：「（他）尊重眼前所見的真實，更長於以個性化的色彩與造型反映在作品之上」，正好指出這種特徵。

伍澤樞擅長人物肖像，其處身於民族大熔爐的紐約，更為他提供來自各地的模特兒。藝術家曾經自述，他的肖像不僅表現人物外表，更要表達人物精神、性格和身份，而《鬥牛士》則是絕佳例子。鬥牛士形象鮮明，亦是西班牙文化中勇猛果敢之象徵，而鬥牛卻兼備表演娛樂與生死格鬥之本質，形成強烈的美學價值與思考深度，自近代以來，名家巨匠如馬奈、瑪莉．卡薩特、貝納．畢費、畢加索、波特羅等，俱有佳作問世，其中印象派先驅馬奈的鬥牛士更是他的早期傑作，伍澤樞受印象派影響甚深，於此不無致敬之意。

本作巧妙利用光線和身體語言，建立主角之形象：人物雖處戶外，但畫家強調外光從左邊射進，藉反光突顯鬥牛士裝束之華麗與層次感，亦加強了面部輪廓，更添崢嶸硬朗；另一方面，鬥牛士儘管準備出場，神情卻凝重而不緊張，激戰在即，仍好整以暇，其右手搭欄，左手扠腰，雙目注視遠方，在畫面構成一穩重的三角形，滾滾氣勢亦由是而生，盡顯藝術家敏銳的觀察力與慎密的佈局技巧。