Estilita (1952)
Stylite
The stylite is a recurring figure in the work of Lluís M. Saumells (Gironella, 1915 - Tarragona, 1999), an object of investigation which lead him to abstraction and the elementary reduction of forms.
A stylite is a type of Christian anchorite who lives in solitude, isolated from the community to avoid temptation and who dedicates his existence to prayer and penitence, living on a platform placed at the top of a column or pillar.
The sculptor started to produce his stylites in the 40s and initially presented them on a low base, square or cylindrical, reminiscent of a column.
It is a curled-up figure with his head between his legs, in which we can only distinguish the nape, the shoulders, the vague relief of his spine and the creases of his clothes.
Until 1966, Saumells’ stylites displayed an engrossed and introverted attitude, belonging to an anchorite who has chosen to live in silence, isolated, anxious, praying and depriving himself. Some of the figures in this series have their arms crossed. The author used them to express disappointment and resignation, with striking brevity and intensity. If we seek greater insight into what Saumells really wants to tell us and turn to history, it reminds us that stylites were virtuous men, capable of renouncing human desires in favour of their spirituality.
Saumells recognises himself in this spirituality. In fact, he produced dozens of sketches of the artist’s studio, in which he represents himself in this gathered and introspective pose in small spaces, which exude anguish, in an exercise of existentialist reflection.