Lot 161: w - MIGUEL OSLÉ SAENZ DE MEDRANO SPANISH, 1879-1960

THE PRISONER

THE PRISONER

measurements note
200cm., 78¾in.

signed & dated: MYL OSLE MCMXXXV

bronze, brown- black patina

NOTE

The present figure comes from the monument by Miguel Oslé to the 63 members of the Futbol Club Barcelona killed during the Spanish Civil War of July 17, 1936 to April 1, 1939. The monument was erected outside the old stadium of Les Corts, which opened in 1922 and closed in 1957 to make way for Camp Nou, the largest football stadium in Europe. The monument was presumably taken down at the time when the stadium itself was destroyed. There were two larger that life-size nude figures on the monument, one helmetted representing a soldier, and the present figure, an enchained prisoner. Many of the fallen would have played both rôles during the bloody conflict between the Nationalists led by General Franco and the Republicans or Loyalists. The industrialised region of Catalonia was strongly Republican.

FC Barcelona, affectionately known as Barça, was founded in 1899. The Club's motto is Més que un club (More than a club) and it is regarded as a Catalan institution. Miguel Oslé was himself a club member. The sculptor often collaborated with his brother, Llucià and many of their monuments survive in Barcelona. Another Civil War memorial by the brothers is in the Parc de Montjïc.

RELATED LITERATURE
Bénézit, vol.10, p.426