Figures - Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

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Figures

Oteiza, Jorge

Orio, Gipuzkoa, 21/10/1908-San Sebastián, 09/04/2003

Green-dyed concrete cast

47.3 x 20.8 x 16.5 cm

OTEITZA (T and E, with the letters intertwined, bottom right)

1951

Mid-20th century

03/22

Acquired in 2003

Figures is part of the earliest work Oteiza did in connection with the commission for the sculptural decoration for the Basilica of Arantzazu, in Gipuzkoa, from 1950. In the context of a new religious art, Oteiza produced a sculpture derived from Henry Moore, who exerted enormous influence on Basque and Spanish art at the time. This group of two human figures, perforated and with the surface bearing a variety of marks of the sort found in some of Picasso's sculptures, was made in cement, a most unusual material for the artist to use. However, the light colouring and peculiar texture made it remarkably effective in terms of expression. [Javier Viar]

Selected bibliography

  • Oteiza : propósito experimental [Cat. exp.]. Madrid, Fundación Caja de Pensiones, 1988. p. 89, n° cat. 61.
  • Badiola, Txomin ; Martínez Suárez, David. Oteiza : cataloguo razonado de escultura. Alzuza (Navarra), Fundación Museo Oteiza [et. al.], 2005. p. 155, il. (cat. CRJO 1.9.14.000)
  • Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao : guía. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2006. pp. 180-181.
  • Musée des Beaux Arts de Bilbao : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2006. pp. 180-181.
  • Bilbao Fine Arts Museum : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2006. pp. 180-181.
  • Adquisiciones 02/07 [Cat. exp.]. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2007. pp. 58-59, n° cat. 20.
  • Sala Stvdio, 1948-1952 : una aventura artística en el Bilbao de la posguerra [Cat. exp.]. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2008. n° cat. 11.
  • Guía Artistas Vascos. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2008. pp. 121-123.
  • Gida Euskal Artistak. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Eder Museoa, 2008. pp. 121-122.
  • Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao : guía. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2011. pp. 180-181, n° cat. 128a.
  • Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa : gida. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2012. pp. 180-181, n° cat. 128a.
  • Guide Basque Artists. Bilbao, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, 2012. pp. 121-122, n° cat. 64a.
  • Bilbao Fine Arts Museum : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2014. pp. 180-181.
  • Musée des Beaux Arts de Bilbao : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2014. pp. 180-181.
  • Badiola, Txomin. Oteiza : catálogo razonado de escultura. Alzuza, Navarra ; San Sebastián, Fundación Museo Jorge Oteiza Fundazio Museoa ; Nerea, 2015. 2 v. p. 155, n° cat. CRIO 1.9.14.000.
  • Badiola, Txomin. Oteiza : eskultura katalogo arrazoitua. Alzuza, Navarra ; San Sebastián, Fundación Museo Jorge Oteiza Fundazio Museoa ; Nerea, 2015. 2 v. p. 155, n° cat. CRIO 1.9.14.000.
  • Badiola, Txomin. Oteiza : catalogue raisonné of sculpture. Alzuza, Navarra ; San Sebastián, Fundación Museo Jorge Oteiza Fundazio Museoa ; Nerea, 2015. 2 v. p. 155, n° cat. CRIO 1.9.14.000.
  • Jorge Oteiza - Eduardo Chillida : diálogo en los años 50 y 60 [Cat. exp.]. València, Fundación Bancaja, 2021. pp. 105, 157, il.