"Forma Abstracta", 1931

Torres-García’s close interest in ‘Primitive’ and particularly Pre-Columbian art was enhanced upon his arrival in Paris by exposure to the great anthropological collections in the city, and particularly to the 1928 exhibition of the Ancient Art of the Americas at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The economic crisis of the early 1930s saw the Paris art market take a steep downturn, and in December 1932 Torres-García and his family moved to Madrid seeking new audiences. He also found new and richer collections of South American art there, notably in the National Archaeological Museum. In Madrid, the strong influence of these artefacts, particularly from Peru and Bolivia, such as Nazca ceramics and Tihuanacu textiles, led to a renewed, intensive examination of Indian culture, which he reflected in his artistic work.