Fernando Calderón López De Arroyabe (1928-2003) - The Two Cyclists
Ink, pastel and wash on artist's paper. Signed and dated.
In this monumental drawing by López de Arroyabe, charcoal and chalk on grained paper evoke the texture of ancient stone, metamorphosing two robust cyclists into Hellenic horsemen splitting the asphalt. The work is a pure demonstration of strength and serene muscular classicism; the athletes merge with their streamlined road bikes in a symbiosis of flesh and metal reminiscent of Greek friezes, where anatomy is exalted with almost sculptural precision.
Fernando Calderón López de Arroyabe belonged to a line of artists for whom art and music punctuated daily life. From an early age, he cultivated a serene monumentality that captivated geniuses such as Picasso, Zuloaga and Solana. Trained at the San Fernando Academy and perfecting his art on the European stage, his painting sought not only faithful representation, but also a timeless solemnity that reached its apogee at the Pantheon of the Dukes of Alba in Loeches. There, his brushwork, inspired by the muralists, unfurled an apotheosis of figures seemingly inhabiting a sacred silence, where the robustness of form - praised by Solana himself, who compared it to the mastery of Goya - coexists with a profound introspection. This ability to capture grandeur without exaggeration earned him the Velázquez Chair at the Brazilian Academy of Fine Arts, an honor shared with figures of the stature of Henry Moore. His career, which ranged from costumes for the Ballets Russes to portraits of popes and monarchs, was marked by an epic perception of everyday life and heroism. In his illustrations of Cantabrian myths and his notes on Corocotta's epic, Calderón gave his regional roots a universal dimension, imbued with mystery and reflection, which he also infused into his writing. Able to depict international aristocracy with the same dignity as humble "madmen" or "fishermen", his work remains a benchmark of 20th-century Spanish art for its ability to synthesize classical tradition with modern, metaphysical vitality. When he died in his hometown of Santander, he left a legacy in which the power of his line and the depth of his spirit merge into a monumental serenity typical of true masters.
- Image size unframed: 47 x 70 cm / 65 x 87.5 cm with exclusive custom-made black frame.
In this monumental drawing by López de Arroyabe, charcoal and chalk on grained paper evoke the texture of ancient stone, metamorphosing two robust cyclists into Hellenic horsemen splitting the asphalt. The work is a pure demonstration of strength and serene muscular classicism; the athletes merge with their streamlined road bikes in a symbiosis of flesh and metal reminiscent of Greek friezes, where anatomy is exalted with almost sculptural precision.
Fernando Calderón López de Arroyabe belonged to a line of artists for whom art and music punctuated daily life. From an early age, he cultivated a serene monumentality that captivated geniuses such as Picasso, Zuloaga and Solana. Trained at the San Fernando Academy and perfecting his art on the European stage, his painting sought not only faithful representation, but also a timeless solemnity that reached its apogee at the Pantheon of the Dukes of Alba in Loeches. There, his brushwork, inspired by the muralists, unfurled an apotheosis of figures seemingly inhabiting a sacred silence, where the robustness of form - praised by Solana himself, who compared it to the mastery of Goya - coexists with a profound introspection. This ability to capture grandeur without exaggeration earned him the Velázquez Chair at the Brazilian Academy of Fine Arts, an honor shared with figures of the stature of Henry Moore. His career, which ranged from costumes for the Ballets Russes to portraits of popes and monarchs, was marked by an epic perception of everyday life and heroism. In his illustrations of Cantabrian myths and his notes on Corocotta's epic, Calderón gave his regional roots a universal dimension, imbued with mystery and reflection, which he also infused into his writing. Able to depict international aristocracy with the same dignity as humble "madmen" or "fishermen", his work remains a benchmark of 20th-century Spanish art for its ability to synthesize classical tradition with modern, metaphysical vitality. When he died in his hometown of Santander, he left a legacy in which the power of his line and the depth of his spirit merge into a monumental serenity typical of true masters.
- Image size unframed: 47 x 70 cm / 65 x 87.5 cm with exclusive custom-made black frame.
900 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Modern Art
Condition: Good condition
Material: Other
Reference (ID): 1744011
Availability: In stock
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