Santiago Rusinol and Ramon Casas
One situation that particularly appealed to Impressionist painters was painting portraits of each other.
The friendship between Rusiñol and Casas led them to travel to the Sant Benet de Bages in the summer of 1890. This trip is when this work, signed by both friends, was painted. It was not the first time they had painted each other, but they had always done so separately, so this painting is the only work painted by four hands. In the foreground Rusiñol appears, while Casas appears in the background. The latter most likely painted the ground, because it is reminiscent of the solutions he was applying at that time. The two figures are seated in the shadows, avoiding the light, which can be seen only on the lit wall in the background.
This work was displayed at the Rusiñol, Casas, and Clarasó Exhibition held at the Sala Parés in October 1890. Many other exhibitions came in its wake, the last of which was held in March 1931, three months before Rusiñol’s death. The weekly L’Esquella de la Torratxa defined this work as follows: “A peaceful challenge. The two artist friends have taken a seat with the paintbrush as their weapons, and challenging each other to see who could paint the other better… they have both won, since both have come out equally successful in this playful test.”
We present today's painting thanks to the Cau Ferrat Museum. : )
P.S. Speaking of friendship, here you can read about female artists' friendship goals and Feminism in 19th-century Stockholm!