Lot 334

MARIANO BENLLIURE GIL (Valencia, 1862 - Madrid, 1947)
"Portrait of Enrique María Repullés y Vargas"
Bronze sculpture
Signed and dated in 1910
44 x 26,5 x 50,5 cm; stand 129 x 29,5 x 34 cm
7.000 - 10.000 €

We would like to thank Ms. Lucrecia Enseñat Benlliure for their assistance in the cataloguing of this work, that will be included in the artist's catalogue.

Inscription: A·E·M·REPULLES·M·BENLLIURE·1910
Foundry: CAMPINS Y CODINA / MADRID

Provenance:
Gift from Benlliure to Enrique María Repullés y Vargas;
Thence by descent to the present owners

Bibliography:
Quevedo Pessanha, Carmen: "Vida artística de Mariano Benlliure" Madrid, 1947, pp. 277 and 278.

Enrique María Repullés y Vargas (1845-1922), architect, restorer and architectural historian, Academician of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando since 1896 and architect of the Royal House, developed a long professional activity that covered the most diverse typologies, such as the fence of the Plaza de la Armería of the Royal Palace or the Stock Exchange Palace in Madrid. Mariano Benlliure's admission to the San Fernando Academy in 1901 fostered their friendship and encouraged their collaboration on several projects, such as the Pantheon of the Dukes of Denia in the Sacramental de San Isidro in Madrid or those corresponding to the sculptor's own house and studio in the capital. In addition, Benlliure recommended him to Joaquín Sorolla when the latter asked him for the name of his architect, after acquiring a plot of land on Martínez Campos Street, where he planned to build the family home and studio, which later became the Sorolla Museum. Repullés did not want to receive any remmuneration for the two projects carried out for Benlliure - the first one not executed - who, in gratitude, modelled his bust and gave it to him cast in bronze.
The sculptor modelled with absolute mastery, alternating ease and delicacy, the bust of his architect, an expressive psychological portrait that speaks to us of his erudition and professional rigour, which earned him numerous awards and decorations such as the two he wears on his chest: the medal of Academician of the Royal Academy of San Fernando and the Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso XII. Instead of signing his work in a corner, Benlliure inscribed his name on the front of the base, after that of his friend and colleague.
It was cast in the Foundry of Codina and Campins in Madrid, whose seal appears on the back of the base, between the months of August and November 1910. The plaster model is on display at the Mariano Benlliure Municipal Museum in Crevillent.

Lucrecia Enseñat Benlliure
Mariano Benlliure Foundation