Mixed media; including oil, acrylic, fluorescent paint and polyester on canvas
Spain, 2012
Antonio Alonso Martinez (b. 1963) – Portuguese-Spanish painter
Signed and dated on verso ‘Matinez 2012‘; also titled ‘ESPAÑA’
Dimensions: 81 x 65.5 cm
Provenance: Private collection, Spain
Very good condition
Impressive portrait of Picasso painted by the famous ‘Martinez the Killer’; his works fetch up to €12,000 at international auctions

The present portrait depicts Pablo Picasso and is a provocative and very characteristic painting by the Portuguese-Spanish artist Antonio Alonso Martinez. Head and chin of the iconic artist are bathed in red, while the middle part of his face and the background appear in bright yellow. The colors immediately evoke associations with the stripes of the Spanish national flag, which are ultimately supported by the inscription ‘ESPAÑA’ at the lower left. The message of the picture seems to identify Picasso as a child or even a hero of his country. But Picasso’s keen view irritates and closer inspection of the painting shows that his pupils are even emphasized by white pinheads pierced through the canvas. Here, the portrait impressively unveils how Martinez uses the method of alienating his sitters in order to express allusions, possible questions or even criticism raised against the depicted persons, or at least against our perceptions of those people.



The painting signed and dated on verso ‘Martinez 2012’ and also titled ‘ESPAÑA’. The work is in very good condition with only minimal traces of wear. The size of the depiction is equal to the overall framed dimensions of 81 x 65.5 cm.



Antonio Alonso Martinez (b. 1963)

Martinez was born in Portugal in 1963 and studied painting in Lisbon. In his youth he was present, when his best friend was murdered at the age of eighteen. This shocking experience deeply influenced his later artistic output, since his portraits often deal with mortality. In 2011 Martinez moved to Spain, where he still lives and works. (cbo)

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