The painting, dated 1876, depicts a child who appears to physically emerge from the canvas and lean on its frame, creating an illusionistic effect that blurs the lines between the pictorial space and the viewer's space. This technique was achieved by combining a frame depicted within the painting and the artwork's actual frame.
Fugint de la crítica II is the second known version of this composition, following the one created in 1874, which is currently part of the Bank of Spain's collection. Pere Borrell del Caso (Puigcerdà, 1835 – Barcelona, 1910) is a prominent figure in Catalan painting of the second half of the 19th century, known for his mastery of trompe-l'oeil.
The acquisition is part of the Department of Culture's policy to incorporate works of special artistic, historical, and cultural interest into the National Collection. Acquired works are deposited in museums and heritage institutions across the region to enrich public collections and ensure the preservation and dissemination of heritage. This painting is intended for the MNAC, where it will complement the representation of 19th-century Catalan painting.
