Federico Cantú Grabado Aurelia III 1949 Provenance Freda Klapp

Description

Federico Cantu Etching Aurelia #3 1949 Provenance Freda Klapp

Drypoint etching on paper mounted on board, signed in pencil by Federico Cantú and dated 1949. This superb work is titled "Aurelia" and shows the portrait of a woman. Aurelia was a series of 3 etchings in which this was the third. Numbered 3 out of 5 published prints. The paper has an inscription by the artist dedicating it to Miss Freda L. Klapp, a well respected print collector from San Diego who donated important pieces to museums such as the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park.

The exact nature of Cantú's relationship with Aurelia remains unclear, with some speculating that she was a romantic interest, while others suggest a platonic bond based on mutual admiration and artistic inspiration. Regardless of the specifics, Aurelia undoubtedly held a special place in Cantú's life, serving as a muse who ignited his creative spirit and fueled his artistic expression.

Cantú's portraits of Aurelia stand as testaments to his admiration for this enigmatic woman, capturing her essence and immortalizing her within his art. Through his masterful brushstrokes, he immortalized her beauty, strength, and enigmatic aura, ensuring that Aurelia's captivating presence would continue to intrigue and inspire for generations to come.

Freda L. Klapp was a prominent collector and the first director of The Art Center in La Jolla CA in 1941. Housed in the former residence of Ellen Browning Scripps and designed by Irving J. Gill, this institution eventually became what is now the Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego.