Alexandre de Riquer

ALEXANDRE DE RIQUER INGLADA (Calaf, Barcelona, 1856 - Palma de Mallorca, 1920).
"Pair of proofs for the engraving of Alfonso XIII", 1904.
Measurements: 23.5 x 16 cm (each); 42 x 53 cm (frame).

Alexandre de Riquer was commissioned by the Royal House to make this exlibris through the Civil Governor of Barcelona, Gonzàlez Rothovoss. Riquer's initial project was discarded because it contained nude female figures. What Riquer did at that time was to cover with clothes the women who would appear nude and were now partially clothed. For the realization of this engraving, Alexandre de Riquer made 4 copper plates: one green, one yellow, one red and finally one black. The printing of these engravings was done in the workshop of the engraver Furnó. The original drawing that Riquer made for this exlibris is conserved in the Library of the Royal Palace of Madrid. Two completely unpublished letters received by the Civil Governor of Barcelona, Gonzàlez Rothovoss, from Alfonso XIII's royal steward have been preserved.

In the first letter dated April 18, 1904, the royal butler writes: "My distinguished friend: I have had the honor of placing in the hands of His Majesty the King the artistic Exlibris that Mr. Riquer has so attentively dedicated. The august gentleman who has received with the greatest pleasure the gift instructs me to convey to Mr. Riquer the most appreciated thanks for his delicate attention, begging you at the same time to signify to him His Majesty's desire to possess another Exlibris with special drawings executed by the aforementioned gentleman." This first letter preserved by Alexandre de Riquer, was surely written after the receipt of one of the proofs of the exlibris that Riquer would have sent to the civil governor to be sent to the king for his approval. Subsequent to this letter, the modification of the naked women was requested. In a later letter written from San Sebastian on August 10, 1904, the royal butler writes: "My distinguished friend: With your kind letter I have received the drawing that Mr. Riquer dedicates to His Majesty the King to whom I have had the honor of delivering it. The august gentleman has seen with great pleasure the artistic work of Mr. Riquer, which I return to him as he indicated in his letter so that he can proceed to its engraving. With this motive and begging him to transmit the thanks of S. M. to the author of the exlibris".

This letter, as we can see, traveled with the final original drawing once the modifications were made. The original drawing was returned to them so that they could correctly make the plates for the final engraving. The two engraving proofs presented in this auction are part of one of the execution proofs that Riquer made after receiving the approval of H. M. King Alfonso XIII. One of them is especially rare as it does not include the black plate with the oval coat of arms of Spain nor the signature or date of Alexandre de Riquer among other elements that were on the black plate. As we can see there were 4 plates that were in some cases superimposed on each other.

The other specimen presented here is a final engraving proof in which the 4 overlapping color proofs are included, showing a final engraving very similar to the one that was finally delivered to King Alfonso XIII and which he liked so much. As for the exlibris, the central oval coat of arms is the coat of arms of Spain. The central coat of arms that appears in the composition within this coat of arms is the coat of arms of the Bourbons. The outline of the royal coat of arms consists of the necklace of the Golden Fleece. Crowning the composition is an imposing royal crown. The coat of arms has two Ionic columns that serve as supports, one on each side. These have decorative motifs with floral motifs and fruits. There are also four nymphs, two seated at the base and two more standing. These figures are the ones that Riquer had to modify by indications of his majesty the king".