Toros Moribundos II. (Býčí smrt II.)

Toros Moribundos II. – Dying Bulls II., 1947

Óscar Domínguez (1906–1957) was one of the most distinctive figures of European Surrealism and an artist whose work made an important contribution to the visual language of the twentieth century. Born on the Spanish island of Tenerife, he moved to Paris during the 1920s, entering one of the principal centres of modern art. There he became associated with André Breton's Surrealist movement and established connections with leading figures of the European avant-garde, including Yves Tanguy, Paul Éluard and Pablo Picasso. He became particularly renowned for his experiments with decalcomania, a technique that employed chance-generated textures as the starting point for imaginative compositions. His work gradually evolved from dreamlike and biomorphic forms towards a more expressive artistic language, also reflecting the dramatic events of European history. His contacts with the Czechoslovak artistic community after the Second World War form a fascinating chapter of his career. Toros Moribundos II. (Dying Bulls II.), dating from 1947, is a compelling Surrealist composition in which the bull, a traditional symbol of Spanish culture, becomes a dramatic metaphor for suffering, struggle and human existence. The intertwined bodies of the animals bring powerful black forms into confrontation with delicate flesh tones, blood-red accents and striking white curves of their horns. Animal anatomy is deliberately distorted, with individual forms overlapping to create an unsettling, almost dreamlike scene. Sharp objects piercing the bulls' bodies intensify the drama, while expressive eyes and open mouths heighten the emotional impact. Domínguez transforms the traditional imagery of Spanish bullfighting into a disturbing vision that can also be interpreted as a broader symbol of violence and the tragedy of human existence. Created only two years after the end of the Second World War, the painting's dark atmosphere invites interpretation in relation to the experience of conflict and suffering. A particularly remarkable feature is the personal dedication on the reverse: “Pour mon très cher camarade Lojza Kučera – Domínguez, 1947.” Addressed to the Czech painter Alois Kučera, this dedication provides valuable historical evidence of Domínguez's personal connections with the Czech artistic community. It adds a dimension extending beyond the painting's visual qualities, linking the work to the cultural relationships between Parisian Surrealism and post-war Czechoslovakia. The painting is accompanied by an expert assessment by Prof. PhDr. Jiří Šiblík, dated July 2002, which places it within the context of Domínguez's Surrealist work and emphasises its dramatic symbolism. The expert estimated its value at CZK 860,000 at that time. CURATOR'S TIP Some artworks captivate through beauty; others through sheer emotional power. Toros Moribundos II. undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. Domínguez created a composition of remarkable expressive intensity. Monumental bull heads, dramatic gestures, distorted forms and the contrast of black, white and blood-red tones produce an image that commands attention. Despite its relatively intimate dimensions, the work possesses an almost monumental visual energy. The personal dedication to Alois Kučera, dated 1947, is of particular collecting interest. More than a simple inscription, it provides a tangible historical link between the artwork and the post-war Czechoslovak artistic community. The bull motif itself is equally significant, reflecting an important aspect of Domínguez's Spanish cultural identity. The combination of powerful Surrealist imagery, dramatic subject matter, historical dedication and expert documentation makes this a compelling collector's piece. FOR INVESTORS Óscar Domínguez is an internationally recognised representative of Surrealism whose original works are traded in both European and international auction markets. Relevant auction comparisons include Composition, an oil on canvas from 1947 measuring 50 × 61 cm, which achieved CZK 380,000 at European Arts in May 2022. Another work, Bull, dated 1946 and executed in mixed media on paper measuring 21 × 27 cm, sold for CZK 120,000 at Adolf Loos Apartment and Gallery in the same year. Selected paintings by Domínguez have also achieved substantial results internationally. For example, Composition aux deux nus from 1956 sold for approximately EUR 126,000 at Artcurial in December 2025. Such results naturally vary according to medium, dimensions, period, artistic significance and the documentation accompanying each individual work. The present Toros Moribundos II. combines several important collecting attributes: a powerful Surrealist subject, a date of 1947, a personal dedication to Czech painter Alois Kučera and an expert assessment by Prof. PhDr. Jiří Šiblík. As early as 2002, the painting was assigned an estimated value of CZK 860,000. This historical valuation records the significance attributed to the work at the time of its professional assessment and forms an important part of its documentation. For collectors of the European avant-garde, this lot represents an opportunity to acquire an original Surrealist composition with a distinctive artistic identity and a personal historical connection to the Czech cultural environment.