Cecilio Pla in his Studio with Mariano Miguel, Next to One of the Canvases Destined for the Casino de Madrid
1910. Gelatin / Collodion.Not on display
Cecilio Pla is depicted in his studio on Calle Carranza, surrounded by his work tools. He is accompanied by Mariano Miguel González (1885–1954), one of his pupils who also helped him as an assistant teacher. Both are portrayed next to one of the canvases intended for the Royal Hall of the Casino de Madrid, a work in which Cecilio Pla was assisted by his pupil, who was the artistic director of the Madrid-produced magazine Por esos mundos. On the lower right-hand side Cecilio Pla’s sketch is discernible, with the grid still visible and from which the painter made the large composition for the Casino. The latter occupies most of the photograph.
In January 1909, Emilio Sala was commissioned to produce these paintings. Sala developed a complete iconographic plan for the ceiling of the Royal Hall. However, he was unable to complete it, as he died suddenly on 14 April 1910. Pla, who must have been very familiar with the project, continued with the commission using some sketches left by his mentor. All of the panels are canvases attached to the wall and, although they were completed by two different artists, upon entering the Royal Hall the viewer perceives an entirely coherent decorative programme.
