Laxeiro (1908-1996) / Figure / Signed And Dated 1940 / Ink

Minimalist ink, typical of the mature period of Laxeiro, a key artist of the "Os Novos" movement in Galicia. Dated 1940, it corresponds to a period when Laxeiro explores a freer artistic language, close to expressionism. The rapid and gestural line, the use of black and white, as well as the simplified forms testify to his interest in the human essence. The sketched face and body show a quest for emotional expression rather than realism. This approach, centered on the essential and the psychology of the characters, is a characteristic of his post-war work. This work illustrates Laxeiro's approach well: a search for direct and emotional expression through simple and refined forms.

22.5 x 17.5 on view
42 x 32 with frame signed lower right and dated 1-9-40

LAXEIRO, real name José Otero Abeledo, was born in 1908 in Lalín, Galicia, and died in 1996 in Vigo. He is one of the major figures of the Galician Renaissance and a pioneer of avant-garde art in Spain. He studied in Madrid in the 1930s at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, where he was influenced by masters such as Velázquez and Goya. His unique style developed by mixing Galician popular traditions with modern artistic currents such as surrealism and expressionism. He is distinguished by an often dark figurative approach, and by the use of rough textures and forms, inspired by Galician sculpture and landscapes. Laxeiro was also associated with the cultural movement of the Generation of '27, and his works reflect a strong social commitment, critical of the institutions and evils of his time. His career spanned more than six decades, during which he evolved towards a more gestural and abstract plastic language, while remaining faithful to his Galician roots. Today, his work is exhibited in several museums and foundations,