Antoni Clave,
Spanish 1913-2005 -
 
Stage design for Roland Petit's 'Carmen',...

Antoni Clave,

Spanish 1913-2005 -

Stage design for Roland Petit's 'Carmen', c.1949;

gouache, coloured chalks, pen and black ink on paper, 38.5 x 60 cm (ARR)

Note: This dynamic work by Antoni Clavé is an original stage design for Roland Petits ballet from Georges Bizets opera Carmen, first performed in London at the Princes Theatre in 1949. This celebrated production was renowned for its Spanish style and blend of the classical and modern, and remains one of Petits most performed productions. Clave had produced numerous set designs in the 1940s and 50s, and was eventually nominated for two Academy Awards for his designs for Charles Vidors 1952 film Hans Christian Anderson.

Like other works from this series of designs, Clavé offsets bold strokes of pure colour against the black of the sheet, creating a dramatic and energetic scene. The simplified, yet direct, drawing of the figures is highly characteristic of the artist and shows the influence of his friend and fellow Spaniard Pablo Picasso and the forms of Cubism on his work.

Clave has works in major public collections across the world, including Museo Nacional de Arte Reina Sofia Museo, Madrid, British Museum, London and Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris. During his lifetime he exhibited with important galleries including Arthur Tooth & Sons, London in 1955 and the Picasso Museum, Antibes in 1958 and won a prize at the Venice Biennale in 1956. In 2022, the Palazzo Franchetti held the exhibition The Spirit of the Warrior devoted to the artists work to coincide with the Venice Biennale.