Lot 12: Clemente Pujol de Gustavino (SPANISH, circa 1850-1905)

Clemente Pujol de Gustavino (SPANISH, circa 1850-1905)
The Offering of Zakat
signed 'C. Pujol' (lower right)
oil on panel
36¾ x 25¼ in. (93.3 x 64.1 cm.)

Anonymous sale; Freeman's, Philadelphia, 22 June 2003, lot 39, (as An Esteemed Visitor).
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, New York, 23 April 2004, lot 94, (as In Front of the Palace).
Acquired from the above sale by the present owner.

THE PROPERTY OF A CALIFORNIA COLLECTOR

Very little is known about the life and artistic training of Clemente Pujol de Gustavino, other than he exhibited in the Germany and Austria and was primarily an Orientalist artist. That he was a skilled draughtsman and brilliant colorist is evident in his oeuvre, and his work ranks in the very top tier of the Spanish Orientalist painters. The fact that he spent time in Germany and Austria explains the similarity of his work to that of two of the greatest Orientalist painters of the late 19th Century, Ludwig Deutsch and Rudolf Ernst (fig. 1).

The influence of the Austrian school of Orientalist painting is clearly evident in The Offering of Zakat. The bright palette, accurate draughtsmanship and tight brushwork all recall the work of the two Austrian masters. The arrangement of the group of figures against an architectural backdrop is a repeated motif in the work of all three artists, and the choice of subject matter also fits into the paradigm of the Austrian painters.

Muslims are required to pay zakat, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Normally the figure is 2.5 of their wealth. They may also choose to pay voluntary charity, or sadaqah. Zakat means 'purification' and 'growth' and the giving of this obligatory tithing to religious authorities is considered a monetary act of worship. Giving zakat is said to both purify and enhance wealth. 'And keep up Salaat and pay Zakaat and contribute for Allah's sake a contribution.' (Qur'an 73:20)

Zakat is often compared to the system of tithing and almsgiving in the Christian community, but it also serves as the welfare contribution to the poor and deprived people in Muslim lands, although others may have a rightful share. It is the duty of the state not just to collect it but to distribute it fairly as well.

Particular to the work of Pujol, the scene is framed by a distinctly Moorish arch which serves to both define the background and give depth to the composition. Also typical to the artist is the narrative aspect of the painting; a specific action is taking place - that of the bearded figure on the left of the picture plane bringing his offering to the Muslim official. The space is further defined by the deeply-hued carpet upon which the scene transpires, which also serves to set the figures into the space and to add a spatial reality to the scene. The artist's ability to render both architecture and fabric with astounding detail is clearly demonstrated in the intricately colored and embroidered costumes as well as the tiling around the arch, the stonework framing the arch and the carpet at the feet of the figures. Pujol has imbued the scene with a restraint, however, that underscores the religious significance of the giving of zakat.


(fig. 1) Rudolf Ernst, The Old Man and his Student
Photo courtesy: Mathaf Gallery, London