Pierre Ambrogiani, La Montera, 1960s, Mixed Media on Paper, Framed

La Montera ', gouache, watercolour and ink on art paper, by Pierre Ambrogiani (circa 1960s). The artist created many artworks with bullfighting as theme. In this case, a single torero tipping his hat is the subject. La montera, the matador's hat, is a very sophisticated sort of hat. Good ones resemble a wig which perfectly adapts to the head of the bullfighter. Using a montera implies following lots of rules, protocol and superstition. During the suerte de capote when the torero uses his cape, he would be wearing his hat. However, when he begins to use the muleta (the red cape) he takes the montera with his hand, waves at the audience and throws it to the centre of the bullring. Many bullfighters are superstitious and consider that if the montera falls upside down, that will bring them bad luck. This artwork is in fair condition, showing blemishing on the bullfighter's trousers and some light fading of colour including in the signature. The piece has been newly framed and glazed to preserve it for decades to come. About the Artist : Pierre Ambrogiani (1907-1985) was born in Ajaccio, Corsica. He grew up in the port of Marseille, where at the age of 12 he became a telegraph boy. It was not until 1937 that Ambrogiani decided to devote his life to art, like his brothers Pascal and Toussaint (who worked as Toussaint d'Orcino) and sister Helene. Pierre was an expressionist mostly known for his wild, colourful palette of vibrant still-lifes and Provencal landscapes. He received the Prix International de la Biennale de Menton in 1951, the Grand Prix des Peintres Témoins de leur Temps in 1967, and the Prix du Gemail in 1968. In 1962, he was commissioned to decorate the Immaculate Conception of Marseille church with frescoes and stained glass windows. A major retrospective of his art was held at the Musée de la Vieille Charité de Marseille in 1973, with an important catalogue . A prolific artist, Ambrogiani created more than 1500 paintings, seven sculptures, 1200 drawings and watercolours and 300 prints over his lifetime. His works are exhibited and collected worldwide and have sold widely at major auction houses over the decades increasing in value with time. Dimensions with frame : H 67.5 cm / 26.6" W 52 cm / 20.5" Dimensions without frame : H 58 cm / 22.8" W 43 cm / 16.9"