Albert Ràfols-Casamada

February 2, 1923 (age 86)

Barcelona, Spain

Ràfols-Casamada began exhibiting his artworks in 1946 at the Sala Pictòria in Barcelona, in a group exhibition of the artists' collective Els Vuit (The Eight). The following year he had his first individual exhibition at the same gallery. After some years in Paris he returned to Barcelona. Since 1958 he completely dedicates himself to his abstraction. American Abstract Expressionism is one of the biggest influences present in his work from when he visits an exhibition in Madrid that brings him into contact with the work of Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman and Jackson Pollock, traditions that add to the culture already acquired from Albert Ràfols-Casamada of classical landscape. Albert Ràfols-Casamada began writing poetry at a very early age, starting from 1939. He wrote in parallel to his art activities, and was published from the first time in 1972, when the limited-edition volume, Com una capsa, came out. In the year 1976 his anthology, Signe d'aire. Obra poètica 1968-1978, was out, and received great acclaim from critics. Ràfols-Casamada published his poetry until 2004, when the last volume, Dimensions del present (2001-2004) came out. He produced several pieces in stained glass, for example for the Virgen del Camino Sanctuary in León (1959) and the Benlloc Residence in La Roca del Vallès (1965). In addition to his own poetry books, Albert Ràfols-Casamada made illustrations for the following books: Aurora per vosaltres buy Joan Perucho, 1959; Set sonets by J.V. Foix, 1984; Mirall trencat by Mercè Rodoreda, 1990; El carrer de les Camèlies by Mercè Rodoreda, 2002, etc. In the year 1967 he together with his wife, Girona, and some other Catalan intellectuals co-founded the art and design school EINA in Barcelona. He served as its director for 17 years. Besides, he taught art there and in other places as well. Among his prominent works were murals, including "Les quatre estacions" (The Four Seasons), 1982, and two murals for the Palau Sant Jordi sports pavilion, 1992, and Forum of the École Normale Supérieure de Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Lyon, 2000.

Albert Ràfols-Casamada Edit Profile

artist educator poet

Background

Ràfols-Casamada was born in Barcelona, Spain, on February 2, 1923. He was the son of the painter Albert Ràfols i Cullerés and Josefina Casamada i Oliver.

Education

Albert Ràfols-Casamada studied architecture at the University of Barcelona between 1942 and 1944. However, by 1948, he had quitted his architecture studies and professionally took up painting.

Ràfols-Casamada obtained a scholarship from the French government to study art in Paris in 1950, along with his future wife, the painter Maria Girona, and other Catalan artists, including Josep Guinovart, Antoni Tàpies and Xavier Valls.

$Education period of Albert R\u00E0fols-Casamada in University of Barcelona$

Career

Ràfols-Casamada began exhibiting his artworks in 1946 at the Sala Pictòria in Barcelona, in a group exhibition of the artists' collective Els Vuit (The Eight). The following year he had his first individual exhibition at the same gallery.

After some years in Paris he returned to Barcelona. Since 1958 he completely dedicates himself to his abstraction. American Abstract Expressionism is one of the biggest influences present in his work from when he visits an exhibition in Madrid that brings him into contact with the work of Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman and Jackson Pollock, traditions that add to the culture already acquired from Albert Ràfols-Casamada of classical landscape.

Albert Ràfols-Casamada began writing poetry at a very early age, starting from 1939. He wrote in parallel to his art activities, and was published from the first time in 1972, when the limited-edition volume, Com una capsa, came out. In the year 1976 his anthology, Signe d'aire. Obra poètica 1968-1978, was out, and received great acclaim from critics. Ràfols-Casamada published his poetry until 2004, when the last volume, Dimensions del present (2001-2004) came out.

He produced several pieces in stained glass, for example for the Virgen del Camino Sanctuary in León (1959) and the Benlloc Residence in La Roca del Vallès (1965). In addition to his own poetry books, Albert Ràfols-Casamada made illustrations for the following books: Aurora per vosaltres buy Joan Perucho, 1959; Set sonets by J.V. Foix, 1984; Mirall trencat by Mercè Rodoreda, 1990; El carrer de les Camèlies by Mercè Rodoreda, 2002, etc.

In the year 1967 he together with his wife, Girona, and some other Catalan intellectuals co-founded the art and design school EINA in Barcelona. He served as its director for 17 years. Besides, he taught art there and in other places as well.

Among his prominent works were murals, including "Les quatre estacions" (The Four Seasons), 1982, and two murals for the Palau Sant Jordi sports pavilion, 1992, and Forum of the École Normale Supérieure de Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Lyon, 2000.

Achievements

Albert Ràfols-Casamada was believed to be one of the most important, multifaceted Catalan artists of his time. His artworks are presented in a number of museums around the world, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, among others.

He was numerously awarded for his works. In 1978 Ràfols-Casamada received Medal from the Catalan Art & Design Association for his artistic, cultural and teaching activities. In 1980 he was granted Spanish National Award for the Plastic Arts, in 1983 Catalan Cross of Saint George, in French title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters and in 1991 French title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. He obtained Catalan National Award for the Visual Arts in 2003 and Gold Medal for Artistic Merit, Barcelona City Council in 2008.

Works

$Fruites d\'estiu Fruites d\'estiu$ Los elementos III - Tierra Los elementos III - Tierra

Los elementos II - Aire Los elementos II - Aire

Los elementos IV - Agua Los elementos IV - Agua

Interior con objetos Interior con objetos

$Bodeg\u00F3n de la planta Bodeg\u00F3n de la planta$ $Sin t\u00EDtulo Sin t\u00EDtulo$

painting
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- 25
- Blau profund
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- Fruites d'estiu
- Los elementos III - Tierra
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- Objects on Ochre
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- Marea baja
- Los elementos II - Aire
- Barcelona Triangle
- Esclats
- Los elementos IV - Agua
- unknown title
- unknown title
- Blau antic
- Vent de mar
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- Untitled
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- Paisajo
- Untitled
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- Untitled
- Interior con objetos
- Marg
- Bodegón de la planta
- Sin título

Connections

In 1952 Albert Ràfols-Casamada got married to the Catalan painter Maria Girona Benet.

Father:: Albert Ràfols i Cullerés
Mother:: Josefina Casamada i Oliver
Spouse:: Maria Girona i Benet

Main Photo