Twelve project studies, 1932–1944

José María Sert y Badia, who was born in Barcelona in 1874 and relocated to Paris while in his twenties, was a muralist commissioned to paint monumental scenes in New York (Rockefeller Center), Vic (Cathedral), and Paris (Ballet Russes), among other important sites. His use of photography for his preparatory works demonstrates a pioneering approach to the medium. The enchanting documents of the artist's working process offered here show mannequins arranged as figurative studies. In many cases the prints bear hand drawings by the artist on the rectos and versos, sometimes revealing the 'mise au carreau' technique that Sert used to translate his compositions to a larger scale using squares sketched overtop of the photographs.

Studies for Rockefeller Center, New York, 1932-1941:
Fire Flight
Fire Flight
Study for the Ceiling
The Triumph of Work

Studies for the University City, Madrid, Spain, 1944:
Untitled
Untitled

Studies for the Cathedral of Vic, Spain, 1938-1945:
Untitled
The Engagement of Adam and Death
The Misuse of Life

Studies for The Alcázar of Toledo, Spain, 1943:
The Angel of Peace
The Angel of Peace
Untitled