Antonio Seguí

The work

Las Rubias al sol (Blondes in the Sun)
2006
110 x 220 cm
Acrylic on canvas

“Las Rubias al sol” is organized as a triptych populated by countless characters typical of comic or children’s magazines, all of them similar, almost identical. The central panel, as wide as the two side panels combined, has a light-colored background filled with color in which the figures, almost all in profile, walk actively to the right and left. On both side panels, the color is dark, nocturnal, without lighting.
All are male characters in formal suits and ties, some with hats or mustaches, except for a few female figures with light hair, the blondes referred to in the title.
Throughout his work, the protagonist is a character invented by Seguí, Mr. Gustavo, a gloomy figure in a suit and hat who is the artist’s double.

The artist

(Córdoba, Argentina, 1934 – Buenos Aires, 2022)

From a very young age, Seguí showed a connection to the vibrant culture and political climate of his country. He soon found his true calling in the world of art. His passion took him to Buenos Aires, where he studied at the National School of Fine Arts. He continued his training at the San Fernando Academy in Madrid and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was influenced by various artistic styles, including those of Fernand Léger and Diego Rivera.
In 1958, he embarked on a long journey through South and Central America, finally settling in Mexico, where he studied various engraving techniques.
In 1963, he moved permanently to Paris, where he lived and worked until his death in 2022. His style evolved from satirical expressionism to the absurd, creating theatrical scenes where characters search for their place in the world. Mr. Gustavo, a recurring character, symbolizes the modern urban dweller. Seguí’s work is known for its satirical and critical views of urban life, often depicted with a vibrant and comical visual language. In the 1960s and 1970s, he created expressionist and satirical pieces reflecting the political and sociological history of South America. His autobiographical paintings from the late 1970s include landscapes, Parisian scenes, and urban landscapes of New York.
His exploration of urban life through a satirical lens has influenced artists who combine art with social criticism. Seguí had an important career in stage design, collaborating with leading figures such as Giorgio Strehler and designing sets for La Scala in Milan until the late 1980s. In Arcueil, near Paris, where he lived, he continued to create and influence the art world until his death.