Pere Pruna O'Ceráns Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Pere Pruna O'Ceráns Art Value Price Guide

Jul. 23, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). Untitled. Mixed media (waxes and pastels) on paper. Signed in the lower right corner.
Est: €2,000 - €2,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). Untitled. Mixed media (waxes and pastels) on paper. Signed in the lower right corner. Measurements: 58 x 75 cm; 42 x 60 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, is based on the clear delicacy of the pink and "neoclassical" Picasso, and reveals a certain parallelism with the Italian Novencento, fully framed in the classicist current that appeared in Western art after the first wave of avant-garde, and of which his friend Cocteau was the driving force. Pruna focused on portraiture and especially on the female figure, capturing images marked by great delicacy and sober distinction. His representations are characterized by a stylized and diaphanous line, and are in tune with the return to order after the rupture that cubism meant in France, thus linking directly with the avant-garde. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Jul. 23, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904–1977). “Landscape,” 1968. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With a Sala Parés label on the back.
Est: €1,800 - €2,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904–1977). “Landscape,” 1968. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With a Sala Parés label on the back. Measurements: 68.5 x 85 cm; 85 x 101 cm (frame). A largely self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona at a very young age, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he received support and guidance from Picasso. In the French capital, he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob, and others, with whom he founded the magazine “Philosophie” in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also commissioned him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet “Les matelots” in 1925. From then on, he also worked on other musical productions, such as “La vie de Polichinele” (1934) and “Oriane” (1938), among others. In 1928, he won second prize at the Carnegie Institute exhibition in Pittsburgh, and upon his return to Barcelona, he received other awards, such as the prize in the “Montserrat as Seen by Catalan Artists” competition (1931) and the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter prize was mired in controversy, as Pruna won it for his oil painting “El vi de Chios,” for which he used a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine as a model. Faced with the uproar this caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury upheld its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activities, notably with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time, he worked for Ridruejo’s propaganda services, creating works such as the poster commemorating the enactment of the Labor Act, and Eugenio d’Ors, National Director of Fine Arts, included him in the Spanish delegation to the 1938 Venice Biennale. After the war, he combined exhibitions of easel paintings with mural painting, a genre in which his works at the Montserrat monastery were particularly celebrated. In 1965, he won the City of Barcelona Prize, and three years later he was named a member of the Far de Sant Cristòfor Academy. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, draws on the clear delicacy of Picasso’s “Rose Period” and “Neoclassical” works, and reveals a certain parallel with the Italian Novecento, placing him squarely within the classicist movement that emerged in Western art following the first wave of the avant-garde—a movement championed by his friend Cocteau. Pruna focused on portraiture and, above all, on the female figure, creating images marked by great delicacy and understated distinction. His depictions are characterized by a stylized and ethereal line, and they resonate with the return to order that followed the rupture brought about by Cubism in France, thus linking directly to the avant-garde movements. Pere Pruna’s work is currently on view at the Montserrat Museum, where a space is named after him, as well as at the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Jun. 30, 2026
PEDRO PRUNA - Portrait of a young man
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Portrait of a young man. c. 1925 Oil on canvas Measurements 81 x 66 cm.
Subastas Segre
Jun. 16, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Allegory", 1944. Mixed media on paper. Signed and dated at the bottom.
Est: €1,000 - €1,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Allegory", 1944. Mixed media on paper. Signed and dated at the bottom. Measurements: 30 × 21 cm.; 41 × 33 cm. with frame. Composition dominated by a monumental female figure accompanied by attributes associated with the passage of time, fortune and abundance. The scythe, the winged hourglass and the cornucopia overflowing with fruit introduce an allegorical reading in which life, destiny, wealth and transience appear closely intertwined. The work stands out for the refined scenographic sense and linear elegance characteristic of Pruna. The palette of ochers, whites, blues and earths gives the piece a decorative and precious quality, close to the theatrical and classicist universe of the artist. Pere Pruna began exhibiting at a very young age. In 1921 he moved to Paris, where he received the support of Picasso and became part of the intellectual circles of the city, holding a successful exhibition at the Galerie Percier. He also collaborated in the scenographic field, designing sets for the ballet Les matelots by Diaghilev (1925). Throughout his career he won several awards, including second prize at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh exhibition (1928) and the Nonell Prize (1936). His work is preserved in the Reina Sofia Museum, the MNAC and the Museum of Montserrat, among other collections.
Setdart Auction House
Jun. 16, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Lady on black background", 1944. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Est: €12,000 - €14,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Lady on black background", 1944. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. Measurements: 130 × 161 cm.; 140.5 × 173 cm. with frame. Female portrait of great scenic elegance, dominated by the contrast between the luminous figure and the dark depth of the background. The model, reclining on a red velvet chaise longue, appears wrapped in a black dress that accentuates the whiteness of the face, hands and neckline, while the bouquet of flowers introduces a delicate chromatic and symbolic note. This painting reveals Pruna's characteristic refinement, attentive to line, gesture and the restrained theatricality of the figure. The elongated posture, the elaborate hairstyle, the jewelry and the frontal gaze give the sitter a sophisticated presence, between the mundane portrait and the image of apparent psychological detachment. The dark background, barely defined, concentrates all the attention on the figure and reinforces the intimate and slightly enigmatic atmosphere of the work. The work dates from a period in which Pruna had consolidated an elegant figurative language, with classical roots and modern sensibility. The work retains echoes of his relationship with the world of ballet, scenography and the cosmopolitan environments of the interwar period, visible in the compositional sense, the studied pose and the almost theatrical treatment of light. Pere Pruna was an outstanding figure of 20th century Catalan art. He began to exhibit very young. In 1921 he moved to Paris, where he received the support of Picasso and was integrated into the intellectual circles of the city, making a successful exhibition at the Galerie Percier. He also collaborated in the scenographic field, designing sets for the ballet Les matelots by Diaghilev (1925). Throughout his career he won several awards, including second prize at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh exhibition (1928) and the Nonell Prize (1936). His work is preserved in the Reina Sofia Museum, the MNAC and the Museum of Montserrat, among other collections.
Setdart Auction House
May. 19, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "The drinker", 1929. Ink on paper. Signed and dated in the lower right margin.
Est: €2,200 - €2,500
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "The drinker", 1929. Ink on paper. Signed and dated in the lower right margin. Measurements: 48 x 36 cm; 64,5 x 51 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna continued with his international exhibition activity, highlighting his exhibition organized in London in 1937. After the war, he combined his easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his works in the Monastery of Montserrat were especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, is based on the clear delicacy of the pink and "neoclassical" Picasso, and reveals a certain parallelism with the Italian Novencento, fully framed in the classicist current that appeared in Western art after the first wave of avant-garde, and of which his friend Cocteau was the driving force. Pruna focused on portraiture and especially on the female figure, capturing images marked by great delicacy and sober distinction. His representations are characterized by a stylized and diaphanous line, and are in tune with the return to order after the rupture that cubism meant in France, thus linking directly with the avant-garde. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
May. 12, 2026
PEDRO PRUNA - Woman with a basket of grapes
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Woman with a Basket of Grapes. 1958 Oil on canvas Signed and dated 1958 Dimensions 90 x 63 cm PROVENANCE (label on back) Sala Parés, Barcelona Private collection
Subastas Segre
Mar. 29, 2026
Pedro PRUNA (1904-1977) Danse champêtre, 1921 Huile sur carton Signé et datée en bas à droite
Est: €4,500 - €5,000
Pedro PRUNA (1904-1977) Danse champêtre, 1921 Huile sur carton Signé et datée en bas à droite 32,5 x 36 cm ; avec cadre 44 x 47 cm Provenance : -Ancienne collection André Level. Par descendance. -Vente ADER, 13 novembre 2025, lot 91 L’oeuvre figure dans l’inventaire de la succession André Level en 1947 sous le numéro présumé 373.
Osenat
Mar. 18, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Two figures", 60's. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label on the back of the Sala Parés.
Est: €3,000 - €3,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Two figures", 60's. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label on the back of the Sala Parés. Measurements: 66 x 81 cm; 89 x 104,5 cm (frame). Pere Pruna was a painter gifted with a singular sensibility to explore the feminine universe. In this work, the two women seem to communicate sincerely with each other. The bare back of one of them reinforces the sensation of introspection in an intimate and feminine space. Their voluminous bodies reflect Pruna's characteristic language, which combines a Mediterranean and classical root with a modern and avant-garde approach. Pere Pruna trained at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued with his international exhibition activity, with an outstanding exhibition organized in London in 1937. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, is based on the clear delicacy of the pink and "neoclassical" Picasso, and reveals a certain parallelism with the Italian Novencento. Pere Pruna is represented in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, in the MNAC or in the Museum of Montserrat, as well as in important public and private collections.
Setdart Auction House
Mar. 18, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Allegory", 1928. Oil and pastel on cardboard. Signed and dated in the lower margin.
Est: €6,000 - €7,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Allegory", 1928. Oil and pastel on cardboard. Signed and dated in the lower margin. Measurements: 50 x 59 cm; 60 x 70 cm (frame). This Allegory is located in one of the key moments of Pere Pruna's production, when his figurative language reaches a mature synthesis between classicism and modern sensibility. Executed in 1928, the work belongs to the stage of plenitude of his international career, coinciding with his consolidation in the Parisian environment and with the recognitions obtained that same year. The composition articulates a group of naked female figures arranged in an idealized landscape, accompanied by a child and an animal, configuring a timeless and silent scene. There is no explicit narrative: the allegorical character resides in the evocation of an ideal, serene and harmonious world, where the bodies are presented as embodiments of classical beauty rather than as individual subjects. The figures, with graceful anatomies and elongated proportions, respond to Pruna's characteristic feminine canon, based on elegance, emotional restraint and refined sensuality. The technical treatment combines oil and pastel, which allows for a soft, velvety material, with delicate transitions between light and shadow. The warm and earthy tones, as well as the atmospheric background, reinforce the sensation of timelessness and reverie. The influence of neoclassical Picasso is evident in the quiet monumentality of the bodies and the compositional clarity, while the taste for harmony and idealization connects the work with the spirit of the Italian Novecento. Pere Pruna was a Catalan painter trained at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona, linked very early to the Parisian artistic environment. In Paris he came into contact with Picasso and with avant-garde intellectual circles, developing a figurative style of classical and modern roots at the same time. His work, focused mainly on the female figure, reached international renown in the twenties and thirties. After the Civil War he settled again in Paris, maintaining a recognized and consistent career. Today he is represented in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, in the MNAC or in the Montserrat Museum, as well as in important public and private collections.
Setdart Auction House
Feb. 19, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Young man and cat", 1966. Pastel on paper. Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Est: €650 - €700
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Young man and cat", 1966. Pastel on paper. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. Measurements: 64 x 49 cm; 84 x 69 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Feb. 19, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Female bust with doves", 1970. Set of three sculptures. Plaster, terracotta and bronze. Signed and dated.
Est: €1,800 - €2,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Female bust with doves", 1970. Set of three sculptures. Plaster, terracotta and bronze. Signed and dated. Measurements: 37 cm (height). Pere Pruna assiduously delved into female psychology, often placing women in environments of existential withdrawal and self-absorption. In this painting, he offers us a beautiful example of his immersion in the psyche of a woman who feels in a certain way a prisoner of her own condition. We deduce this interpretation from the way in which the young woman observes the bird in its cage. Always subtle, in aesthetics and content, we burst on this occasion into an intimate space charged with latent desires. Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. After the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued with his international exhibition activity, with an outstanding exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Feb. 15, 2026
Pere Pruna y Ocerans (1904 - 1977) Antique Spanish Framed Figure Drawing
Est: $300 - $500
Antique Spanish figure drawing. Measuring: 18 by 13 inches overall, and 12 by 9 painting alone. Please see all images for condition. Size is measured and written on the back of the painting or next to each object. The first size is the overall size, the second size is the image size. For detailed condition questions please email hello@curatedgallery.com. Domestic flat rate shipping with Fedex is set to $75 for this lot. Pick up at our 67 Guernsey street location is available 12-7pm by appointment for two weeks following the sale by appointment. Please call or email and let us know when you would like to pick up! Local delivery is also available around the area for large pieces or large orders. Flat rate delivery to, NY, PA, OH, NJ, CT, MA as well as NYC and Brooklyn available as well. Thank you and good luck.
Curated Gallery Auctions
Feb. 10, 2026
PEDRO PRUNA - María Antonia
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 María Antonia. 1973 Watercolor and ink on paper Signed, titled and dated 1973 Dimensions 43 x 29.5 cm
Subastas Segre
Feb. 10, 2026
PEDRO PRUNA - Woman with Flowers
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Woman with Flowers. 1976 Gouache and wax on paper Signed and dated 1976 Dimensions 23 x 17.5 cm
Subastas Segre
Feb. 10, 2026
PEDRO PRUNA - The Princess
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 The Princess. 1973 Watercolor on paper Signed and dated September 1973 Dimensions 30.5 x 44 cm
Subastas Segre
Feb. 10, 2026
PEDRO PRUNA - Portrait of a Woman
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Portrait of a Woman Pencil on paper Signed On the back, another pencil drawing signed "Nude" Dimensions 23.5 x 17 cm
Subastas Segre
Jan. 14, 2026
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Allegory", 1928. Oil and pastel on cardboard. Signed and dated in the lower margin.
Est: €6,000 - €7,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Allegory", 1928. Oil and pastel on cardboard. Signed and dated in the lower margin. Measurements: 50 x 59 cm; 60 x 70 cm (frame). This Allegory is located in one of the key moments of Pere Pruna's production, when his figurative language reaches a mature synthesis between classicism and modern sensibility. Executed in 1928, the work belongs to the stage of plenitude of his international career, coinciding with his consolidation in the Parisian environment and with the recognitions obtained that same year. The composition articulates a group of naked female figures arranged in an idealized landscape, accompanied by a child and an animal, configuring a timeless and silent scene. There is no explicit narrative: the allegorical character resides in the evocation of an ideal, serene and harmonious world, where the bodies are presented as embodiments of classical beauty rather than as individual subjects. The figures, with graceful anatomies and elongated proportions, respond to Pruna's characteristic feminine canon, based on elegance, emotional restraint and refined sensuality. The technical treatment combines oil and pastel, which allows for a soft, velvety material, with delicate transitions between light and shadow. The warm and earthy tones, as well as the atmospheric background, reinforce the sensation of timelessness and reverie. The influence of neoclassical Picasso is evident in the quiet monumentality of the bodies and the compositional clarity, while the taste for harmony and idealization connects the work with the spirit of the Italian Novecento. Pere Pruna was a Catalan painter trained at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona, linked very early to the Parisian artistic environment. In Paris he came into contact with Picasso and with avant-garde intellectual circles, developing a figurative style of classical and modern roots at the same time. His work, focused mainly on the female figure, reached international renown in the twenties and thirties. After the Civil War he settled again in Paris, maintaining a recognized and consistent career. Today he is represented in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, in the MNAC or in the Montserrat Museum, as well as in important public and private collections.
Setdart Auction House
Dec. 17, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "L'escut condal". Watercolor on paper. Presents an informative label of the Sala Parés (Barcelona). With dedication on the back. Signed in the lower right area.
Est: €450 - €550
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "L'escut condal". Watercolor on paper. Presents an informative label of the Sala Parés (Barcelona). With dedication on the back. Signed in the lower right area. Measurements: 32 x 45 cm; 45 x 59 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Dec. 17, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Figure", 1969. Mixed media on paper. Signed and dated in the lower right area.
Est: €1,800 - €2,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Figure", 1969. Mixed media on paper. Signed and dated in the lower right area. Measurements: 32 x 40 cm; 54 x 59 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he won the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he won other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Dec. 17, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Two figures", 60's. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label on the back of the Sala Parés.
Est: €3,000 - €3,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Two figures", 60's. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label on the back of the Sala Parés. Measurements: 66 x 81 cm; 89 x 104,5 cm (frame). Pere Pruna was a painter gifted with a singular sensibility to explore the feminine universe. In this work, the two women seem to communicate sincerely with each other. The bare back of one of them reinforces the sensation of introspection in an intimate and feminine space. Their voluminous bodies reflect Pruna's characteristic language, which combines a Mediterranean and classical root with a modern and avant-garde approach. Pere Pruna trained at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued with his international exhibition activity, with an outstanding exhibition organized in London in 1937. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, is based on the clear delicacy of the pink and "neoclassical" Picasso, and reveals a certain parallelism with the Italian Novencento. Pere Pruna is represented in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, in the MNAC or in the Museum of Montserrat, as well as in important public and private collections.
Setdart Auction House
Dec. 17, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Nude".1960. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label of the Parés room on the back.
Est: €8,500 - €9,500
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Nude".1960. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label of the Parés room on the back. Measurements: 90 x 71 cm; 117 x 89 cm (frame). The painting presents a naked young woman, seated on a bed of white sheets. Her posture is collected and contained: legs bent, ankles crossed, in an attitude of repose or recollection. Because of the disposition of the body, the viewer does not perceive the nude from the front, but through the soft, undulating lines of the chest, belly and hips, which are subtly insinuated rather than shown. The young woman's face, with its clean profile and long neck, is one of the visual focal points of the work: her expression, wide-eyed and staring straight ahead, combines a slight inner tension with a bodily stillness, creating a sense of psychological contrast: an apparent calm beneath which beats a certain restrained emotion or intimate disturbance. In her left hand, the young woman holds a white handkerchief. The background is divided into two planes: on one side, a dark blue curtain, which adds depth and solemnity to the whole; on the other, a wall decorated with bluish plant-inspired motifs, which introduce a soft decorative rhythm and reinforce the sensation of domestic intimacy. The ensemble conveys silence, restraint and elegance, with a balance between sensuality and serenity that characterizes Pruna. A mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Dec. 16, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Woman. 1929 Ink on paper Signed and dated 1
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Woman. 1929 Ink on paper Signed and dated 1929 Measurements 45 x 32 cm
Subastas Segre
Dec. 16, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Lady with veil Water and pastel on paper Fi
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Lady with veil Water and pastel on paper Firmado Medidas 58 x 45 cm
Subastas Segre
Dec. 12, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Girl with a bunch of grapes"
Est: €2,700 - €3,600
Oil on canvas Signed and dated illegibly in the lower right corner On the back of the stretcher, label of Dau Al Set SA, Barcelona Measurements: 80.5 x 65 cm
Ansorena
Nov. 19, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Female portrait". Watercolor on paper (double-sided). Signed in the lower right corner.
Est: €1,000 - €1,100
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Female portrait". Watercolor on paper (double-sided). Signed in the lower right corner. Measurements: 31 x 23 cm; 52 x 44 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Oct. 28, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA - Mujer y unicornio
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Mujer y unicornio Ceras y pastel sobre papel Firmado Medidas 48,5 x 63,5 cm
Subastas Segre
Oct. 28, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA - La flor roja
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 La flor roja. 1952 Gouache sobre papel Firmado y fechado 1952 Medidas 23,5 x 28 cm PROCEDENCIA Sala Parés, Barcelona Colección particular
Subastas Segre
Oct. 28, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA - Proyecto escenográfico para Maximiliem (Darius Milhaud)
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Proyecto escenográfico para Maximiliem (Darius Milhaud). 1932 Gouache, tinta y aguada sobre papel Firmado y fechado 1932 Por el artista: Academie Nationale de Musique Generale. Maximilien Medidas 21 x 22 cm PROCEDENCIA (etiqueta al dorso) The París American Art Galerie, París Colección particular
Subastas Segre
Oct. 14, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Painting inside the painting".1974. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Est: €4,000 - €5,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Painting inside the painting".1974. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. Measurements: 73 x 93 cm; 93 x 115 cm (frame). The work presents a young woman with a blue scarf knotted around her neck, holding in her hands a canvas that seems to show a viewer located outside the field of view. In this painting within the painting, a vase overflowing with flowers of luminous corollas can be distinguished, whose vibrant polychrome establishes a visual counterpoint with the female figure. The artist thus constructs a subtle chromatic interplay between the floral representation and the girl's clothing, creating a delicate balance between both registers. The figure is cut out against a bluish, irregular background without specific spatial references, which intensifies the timeless and almost metaphysical dimension of the scene. With this work, Pruna explores the border between reality and representation, between model and pictorial object, proposing an intimate dialogue between the young woman and the work she exhibits, where the pictorial becomes the subject and a mirror of itself. Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Oct. 14, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Resting".1967. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label on the back of an "exhibition tribute to Pere Pruna".
Est: €6,000 - €7,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Resting".1967. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. With label on the back of an "exhibition tribute to Pere Pruna". Measurements: 81 x 100 cm; 89 x 108,5 cm (frame). In this painting, Pere Pruna gives us a plastic meditation on the calm and the pause in the nature. A young peasant girl abandons herself to rest. She wears a short red dress, accentuated by a black apron and a blue blouse, a combination that generates a vivid contrast of chromatic masses. She lies on a meadow of an exalted emerald green, which does not seek to imitate the natural shade of the grass, but rather to translate it into a plane of vibrant color, endowed with an expressive and almost symbolic value. Next to it is a sickle, alluding to the interrupted work. The trunk of the nearby tree seems to lean towards it deliberately, as if in a protective gesture to protect its rest. Far from academic naturalism, Pruna opts for a stylization of forms and a chromatic exaltation that give the work an air of modern lyricism. The contours, simplified, do not seek to reproduce the textures with meticulousness, but to emphasize the expressiveness of the whole, where each tone seems loaded with significance. A mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his works in the Monastery of Montserrat were especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Sep. 30, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Female Nude"
Est: €900 - €1,200
Oil on canvas Signed, writing partially lost in the lower left corner. Measurements: 32 x 27.5
Ansorena
Sep. 09, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Figures in a landscape", 1970. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Est: €3,500 - €4,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Figures in a landscape", 1970. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. Measurements: 81 x 65 cm; 98 x 81,5 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna continued with his international exhibition activity, highlighting his exhibition organized in London in 1937. After the war he combined his easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his works in the Monastery of Montserrat were especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, is based on the clear delicacy of the pink and "neoclassical" Picasso, and reveals a certain parallelism with the Italian Novencento, fully framed in the classicist current that appeared in Western art after the first wave of avant-garde, and of which his friend Cocteau was the driving force. Pruna focused on portraiture and especially on the female figure, capturing images marked by great delicacy and sober distinction. His representations are characterized by a stylized and diaphanous line, and are in tune with the return to order after the rupture that cubism meant in France, thus linking directly with the avant-garde. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Sep. 09, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Character. Toulon,1926. Oil on canvas. Signed, located and dated in the lower right corner.
Est: €1,400 - €1,600
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Character. Toulon,1926. Oil on canvas. Signed, located and dated in the lower right corner. Measurements: 45 x 28 cm; 60 x 42 cm (frame). Pere Pruna often delved into feminine psychology, often placing women in environments of existential withdrawal and self-absorption. In this painting, he offers us a beautiful example of his immersion in the psyche of a woman who feels in a certain way a prisoner of her own condition. We deduce this interpretation from the way in which the young woman observes the bird in its cage. Always subtle, in aesthetics and content, we burst on this occasion into an intimate space charged with latent desires. Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Sep. 09, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Harlequin".1923. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower margin.
Est: €12,000 - €14,000
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Harlequin".1923. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated in the lower margin. Measurements: 73 x 60 cm; 90 x 77 cm (frame). In this painting, Pere Pruna presents us with the figure of a young harlequin, almost adolescent, motionless in a pose that exudes restrained theatricality and melancholy. Dressed in the classic diamond-shaped costume, in this case in black and emerald green, the character appears erect, with one hand on his hip, while in the other he holds his mask. The harlequin wears a bicorn hat with two peaks, a traditional element of the character. Faithful to Pruna's characteristic style, heir to the Catalan noucentista tradition, but also influenced by his time in Picasso's circle in Paris, the figure is constructed with a clean, refined, almost sculptural stroke. The face of the harlequin, reduced to its essential lines, is nevertheless intensely expressive: a look withdrawn into itself, of a silent melancholy. His almond-shaped eyes, the straight nose, the defined facial oval, form a harmonious and balanced whole, reminiscent of the search for the classical ideal (filtered by the avant-garde) that runs through all of Pruna's work. The palette, of sober and elegant tones, enhances the contrast between the decorative richness of the costume and the sobriety of the surroundings, letting silence and pause dominate the scene. Pure poetry contained. This painting is part of his usual universe of timeless, solitary figures, suspended between reality and evocation. Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. After the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued with his international exhibition activity, with an outstanding exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Jul. 22, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Lament for the Dead Christ", 1953
Est: €1,500 - €2,000
Oil on canvas Signed and dated in the lower right corner. On the back, dedicated and signed to Josep Santacana, with a label on the frame from the Sitges molding shop in the name of Pruna. On the frame, stamp of the Mundi-art Gallery, Barcelona Measurements: 60 x 50.5 cm
Ansorena
Jul. 16, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Warriors". Mixed media and gouache on paper. Signed in the lower right corner.
Est: €1,100 - €1,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Warriors". Mixed media and gouache on paper. Signed in the lower right corner. Measurements: 43 x 35 cm; 69 x 61 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna continued with his international exhibition activity, highlighting his exhibition organized in London in 1937. After the war he combined his easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his works in the Monastery of Montserrat were especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, is based on the clear delicacy of the pink and "neoclassical" Picasso, and reveals a certain parallelism with the Italian Novencento, fully framed in the classicist current that appeared in Western art after the first wave of avant-garde, and of which his friend Cocteau was the driving force. Pruna focused on portraiture and especially on the female figure, capturing images marked by great delicacy and sober distinction. His representations are characterized by a stylized and diaphanous line, and are in tune with the return to order after the rupture that cubism meant in France, thus linking directly with the avant-garde. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Jun. 17, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Character. Toulon,1926. Oil on canvas. Signed, located and dated in the lower right corner.
Est: €1,500 - €1,800
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). "Character. Toulon,1926. Oil on canvas. Signed, located and dated in the lower right corner. Measurements: 45 x 28 cm; 60 x 42 cm (frame). Pere Pruna often delved into feminine psychology, often placing women in environments of existential withdrawal and self-absorption. In this painting, he offers us a beautiful example of his immersion in the psyche of a woman who feels in a certain way a prisoner of her own condition. We deduce this interpretation from the way in which the young woman observes the bird in its cage. Always subtle, in aesthetics and content, we burst on this occasion into an intimate space charged with latent desires. Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
Jun. 12, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). Untitled. Mixed media (waxes and pastels) on paper. Signed in the lower right corner.
Est: €2,000 - €2,200
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (Barcelona, 1904 - 1977). Untitled. Mixed media (waxes and pastels) on paper. Signed in the lower right corner. Measurements: 58 x 75 cm; 42 x 60 cm (frame). Mainly self-taught artist, Pere Pruna completed his training at the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. After beginning to exhibit in Barcelona when he was still very young, he traveled to Paris in 1921, where he was helped and guided by Picasso. In the French capital he held a successful solo exhibition at the Galerie Percier, and came into contact with intellectuals such as Cocteau, Drieu la Rochelle, Max Jacob and others, with whom he founded the magazine "Philosophie" in 1924. Serge Diaghilev, who visited one of his exhibitions, also proposed him to create the sets and costumes for the ballet "Les matelots" in 1925. Since then he also worked on other musical works, such as "La vie de Polichinele" (1934) and "Oriane" (1938), among others. In 1928 he obtained the second absolute prize in the exhibition of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburg and later, on his return to Barcelona, he obtained other awards such as the competition "Montserrat seen by the Catalan artists" (1931) or the Nonell Prize (1936). The latter was surrounded by controversy, because Pruna obtained it for his oil painting "El vi de Chios", for which he used as a model a photograph published in a Parisian pornographic magazine. In view of the commotion caused, Pruna renounced the prize, but the jury ratified its decision. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Pruna settled in Paris and continued his international exhibition activity, with an exhibition organized in London in 1937. At the same time he worked for Ridruejo's propaganda services, with works such as the poster commemorating the promulgation of the Labor Force, and Eugenio d'Ors, National Head of Fine Arts, introduced him to the Spanish representation at the Venice Biennale in 1938. After the war, he combined easel painting exhibitions with mural painting, a genre in which his work in the Monastery of Montserrat was especially celebrated. In 1965 he won the City of Barcelona award, and three years later he was named academician of the Far de Sant Cristòfor. His style, centered on a graceful and stylized female figure, is based on the clear delicacy of the pink and "neoclassical" Picasso, and reveals a certain parallelism with the Italian Novencento, fully framed in the classicist current that appeared in Western art after the first wave of avant-garde, and of which his friend Cocteau was the driving force. Pruna focused on portraiture and especially on the female figure, capturing images marked by great delicacy and sober distinction. His representations are characterized by a stylized and diaphanous line, and are in tune with the return to order after the rupture that cubism meant in France, thus linking directly with the avant-garde. Pere Pruna is currently represented in the Museum of Montserrat, where there is a space with his name, the MACBA in Barcelona and the Maricel Museum in Sitges, among others.
Setdart Auction House
May. 20, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA - Bathers
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Bathers Watercolor and ink on paper Signed Measurements 50 x 36 cm
Subastas Segre
May. 20, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA - Lady
Est: -
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona 1904-1977 Lady Watercolor on paper Signed Measurements 24 x 19 cm
Subastas Segre
May. 13, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Girl with a bunch of grapes"
Est: €4,200 - €5,600
Oil on canvas Signed and dated illegibly in the lower right corner On the back on the stretcher label of Dau Al Set SA, Barcelona Measurements: 80.5 x 65 cm
Ansorena
May. 13, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Crying for the Dead Christ", 1953
Est: €2,100 - €2,800
Oil on canvas Signed and dated in the lower right corner. On the back, dedicated and signed to Josep Santacana, with a label on the frame from the Sitges moulding shop in the name of Pruna. On the frame, stamp of the Mundi-art Gallery, Barcelona. Measurements: 60 x 50.5 cm
Ansorena
May. 13, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Allegory", 1944
Est: €750 - €1,000
Gouache, inks and charcoal on paper Signed and dated lower right Measurements: 33 x 41 cm
Ansorena
Apr. 10, 2025
PERE PRUNA OCERANS (1904-1977). "LADY ON A BLACK BACKGROUND", 1944.
Est: €4,800 - €15,000
Oil on canvas. Signed and dated. The pictorial layer has small defects. The work has been relined. 130 x 161 cm; 140.5 x 173 cm (frame).
Subarna Subastas
Apr. 01, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Harlequin"
Est: €14,250 - €19,000
Oil on canvas Signed in the lower right corner Measurements: 73 x 60 cm
Ansorena
Apr. 01, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Landscape", 1951
Est: €150 - €200
Ink on paper Signed and dated in the lower right corner Measurements: 22 x 32 cm
Ansorena
Feb. 26, 2025
PEDRO PRUNA Barcelona (1904) / Barcelona (1977) "Recumbent Bullfighter", 1933
Est: €12,750 - €17,000
Oil on canvas. Signed in the lower right corner. On the back, label from the Sala Parés, Barcelona; from the tribute exhibition to Pere Pruna and Artur Ramón, Barcelona. Exhibitions: - "Exposició homenatge a Pere Pruna", 10 - 23 January 1978, Sala Parés, Barcelona catalogue no. 13 (as J. Ybarra Collection) Dimensions: 73.5 x 116 cm
Ansorena