Picasso in the pool

Gaze down from the first-floor terrace at the villa known as El Martinete, and something striking will catch your eye – a Picasso drawing on the swimming pool floor. It depicts Antonio Ruiz Soler, the legendary flamenco performer famously known as El Bailarín (‘The dancer’). 

The two were close friends, and Picasso sketched the portrait as the choreographer danced at the painter’s 80th birthday celebrations. When Ruiz Soler bought El Martinete in the 1960s, he did the only reasonable thing and had the sketch tiled into the pool. 

The artwork, titled ‘La Danza’, not only reflects the intertwining worlds of art and dance, but defines a property steeped in glamorous history. Today, the villa is a haven of relaxation and celebration befitting Marbella’s international jet set, who are drawn to the region for its year-round sun, pristine beaches, and excellent quality of life. Yet, the 10-bedroom home also retains many of the hallmarks from Marbella’s golden era, when Hollywood stars and European aristocrats graced its doors. 

“El Martinete is a trophy property on a prime stretch of coast on the Costa del Sol,” Mark Harvey, Head of International Residential at Knight Frank, explains. “There’s a real classical elegance to it. It’s gold leaf. It’s Portuguese and Greek marble. It’s colonnades, ornate staircases and, of course, chandeliers galore.” 

No better is its grandeur showcased than in the triple-height entrance foyer, where walls gilded in gold leaf are illuminated by a vast skylight from which hangs an elaborate, glistening crystal chandelier. There are more contemporary touches, notably the family and chef’s kitchens and luxurious spa. Each has been refurbished to an exceptional standard, yet remains in keeping with the property’s essence.

For all its ostentation, El Martinete is also wonderfully private – a rare thing for a frontline beach property. Its privacy is thanks to a raised sundeck fronting the estate that, by smart design, simultaneously blocks the view into the property from the public but still allows those inside to enjoy the ocean outlook. On a clear day, the view extends as far as the African coastline and the Pillars of Hercules. 

“What they’ve done there is very clever,” Harvey adds. “For the current owner, it was that mix of retrenchment and the space to entertain friends, family and clients that led him to fall in love with the property. It’s an incredibly special home.”

Entertaining is undoubtedly at the heart of El Martinete. After taking in the sunset on the raised ground floor terrace, the festivities can continue on the basement level. This lavish space includes a bar, cigar lounge and, of course, a dancefloor – the ideal setting for any guests tempted to attempt to recreate Antonio ‘El Bailarín’ Ruiz Soler’s famous flamenco moves. 

El Martinete has a guide price of €30,000,000. To make an enquiry, contact mark.harvey@knightfrank.com or follow Mark on Instagram @mark_d_harvey. Explore more properties for sale in Marbella, or contact one of our agents to request a market appraisal.