Sert Section
Josep M. Sert (1874-1945) was one of the most highly prized mural painters of his time. His skilful, sophisticated, all-embracing murals assimilated the tradition of the great Venetian masters. Amongst others, it is worth remembering his mural paintings for the Rockefeller Center and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and the decoration for the Society of Nations in Geneva, without forgetting Vic Cathedral and numerous mansions in Paris, Buenos Aires, Venice and London. It was in London, in 1921, that Sert took on the decoration of the ballroom for the home of Sir Philip Sassoon, an important figure in the political, cultural and financial world of British society. Sert covered the rectangular room (85 m2 and 6.5 m high) with wooden panels painted in oils in black and silver, in a style that revives Baroque illusionism and has connotations of Art Deco. The scene, called Caravans of Orient, includes giant camels, palm trees with Baroque sources, ruins of a Greek temple and crowds of humans marching towards an ideal city. The work extended to the ceiling, on which he painted clouds and an opening for the sky. Following Sassoon's death in 1939, the residence was demolished. The panels, except for the ceiling, were saved and were eventually purchased by Barcelona City Council. On the occasion of the new installation at the MNAC, the work has been reassembled, following restoration of the murals.
