Abstract in Green / Black
signed, dated 1981 and inscribed "N.Y." (lower left)
oil on canvas
19" x 20 1/2" (48 cm x 52 cm)

León Gallery wishes to thank Christian M. Aguilar for confirming the authenticity of this lot




Federico Aguilar Alcuaz played with abstraction and figuration all throughout his career. One finds traces of figuration in his abstract works and his figurations a touch of abstraction. This blurring of distinction is evident in his 1981 Abstract in Green/Black. Alcuaz’s contemporary inspiration can be viewed in this piece; his 1950s Spanish sojourn brought him to the La Punalada Group of abstractionists, which includes Antoni Tàpies whose characteristic color blocks and thick black outlines made its mark on Alcuaz. Using only black and white with a spattering of green, he uses shapes, curves, and perspective to show the musicality weaving its way into the piece. Alcuaz himself is a gifted musician (he is a cellist in particular) and his sensitivity to music bleeds into his abstraction, allowing him to create abstract symphonic pieces like the lot in hand. (Hannah Valiente)