The view of Manolo Valdés: an intimate journey through the history of art

Manolo Valdés’ first artist’s book takes a comprehensive look at the artist’s entire career. As a founding member of Equipo Crónica, Manolo Valdés left an indelible mark on contemporary art, enjoying wide international recognition.

He is an artist that transcends borders.

Manolo Valdés—renowned sculptor, painter, draughtsman, and engraver—has mastered diverse artistic languages that range from pop art to abstraction. 

His work seeks to explore and reinterpret the iconic creations of the great masters of art history. Valdés’ paintings and sculptures breathe new life into these masterpieces while infusing each piece with a timeless essence.

Despite drawing inspiration from the past, his artistic eye remains firmly fixed on the present, offering relevance with each new creation. His sculptures are part of museums and public spaces in New York, Singapore, Rome, Madrid and Dubai.

Among his most iconic works are his interpretations of the meninas, that have made their way around the world and define Manolo Valdés’ status as Spain’s most internationally acclaimed artists.

1. La mariposa, 2015. Gate Building of DIFC, Dubai. (Exhibition)

2. Las Meninas, 2006. Düsseldorf, Germany.

3. Reina Mariana, 1985. Alcobendas, Madrid.

4. Mariposas, 2020. Hotel Milton Tower, Florida, Miami, USA.

5. Dama de Elche, 2002. Manhattan, New York, USA. (Exhibition)

Damas y caballeros: a unique, personal edition

Manolo Valdés worked hand in hand with ARTIKA to craft his inaugural artist’s book, overseeing every aspect of the process, from curating the graphic content to designing the case and selecting materials.

Damas y caballeros offers an exclusive glimpse into the inner world of Manolo Valdés through a meticulously handmade limited edition that has been finished by the artist himself. It includes an Art Book and a Study Book that come in an elegant case that slips into the figure of the menina that Valdés created.

The first volume showcases 53 engravings spanning Valdés’ diverse styles and techniques. These pieces were carefully selected by the artist from various series created between 1996 and 2013. The second volume focuses on Valdés’ artistic journey through insightful articles by leading experts. This exploration of his life and oeuvre delves deep into the artist’s interpretations of iconic figures such as Velázquez, Matisse, Picasso, and Warhol, among others o and others.

An exemplary career

Valdés has masterfully employed a range of materials and textures to craft personal responses to past icons of art. In doing so, he forges a unique bond with the viewer, inviting them to recognise each element and embrace them as  parts of a ground-breaking and original creation.

His relentless pursuit of perfection drives him to continuously refine his work on the same theme. This quest is evident in his engravings, serving as a catalyst for ongoing innovation.

“The history of art is so vast and rich that you can’t consume just one part of it”, says Valdés. Valdés adeptly combines the styles and creative insights of masters like Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, and Miró, who also understood the significance of engraving. 

Left: Perro semihundido (or El perro), 1819, Francisco de Goya.

Right: Dog V, 2008, Manolo Valdés.

His exploration of materials and techniques is evident in Damas y caballeros. A collage technique turns each of his engravings into a unique and irreplicable masterpiece.

The meninas in Damas y caballeros

The case holding the volumes in this edition fits into one of Manolo Valdés’ iconic meninas. Incorporating his signature “noises”, each sculpture is unique. These imperfections, as the artist describes them (cracks, bubbles, and scratches) are integral to defining his sculptural aesthetic. Each menina has these unique features, giving them their singular character and individuality.

Weighing approximately 15 kilograms, these figures are crafted from resin and incorporate pigments personally selected by the artist. The result is a sculpture that embodies Valdés’ creative essence.

“Velázquez is in my DNA”, asserts Manolo Valdés. The source of his inspiration, particularly the figures that the Golden Age master painted, acquire new significance in Damas y caballeros.

The keys to an exclusive edition

• This exclusive edition serves as a testament to the artistic language, trajectory, and persona of one of contemporary art’s most influential figures.
• Manolo Valdés’ inspiration materialises in a tangible form, exclusively for anyone who acquires Damas y caballeros.
• Each copy is a masterpiece, featuring the design exclusive to Valdés’ emblematic meninas.
• Limited to 998 copies, each edition is personally signed by the artist.