Aleix Clapés facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aleix Clapés
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self portrait
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| Born |
Aleix Clapés i Puig
1850 |
| Died | 1920 (aged 69–70) |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Education | Escola de la Llotja |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | modernisme |
Aleix Clapés (born September 10, 1850, in Vilassar de Dalt, Catalonia, Spain – died 1920, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain) was a Catalan artist. He was part of the modernisme art movement. While not as famous as some other artists of his time, he was known for his work with the Güell family. This happened thanks to his friend and fellow artist, Antoni Gaudí.
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Early Life and Family
Aleix Clapés was born in Vilassar de Dalt, Catalonia, in 1850. He was the youngest of many children. His parents were Villa Teresa Puig and Antonio Pons Clapés. He grew up mostly in Vilassar.
Later, he married a woman named Gumersinda. She was a widow with two children. Aleix and Gumersinda also had a daughter together, named Teresa.
Education and Artistic Journey
When Clapés lived in Reus, Spain, he met a painter named Franco Hernandez. Hernandez became his mentor and taught him basic art skills. After this, Clapés moved to Barcelona.
Art School in Barcelona
In Barcelona, he joined the Escola de la Llotja, a famous art school. There, he learned from a teacher named Claudi Lorenzale. Even though Clapés' art style was different from Lorenzale's, he was still one of Lorenzale's favorite students. Lorenzale was part of a group called the Nazarene painters. This was a group of German artists who had strong religious ideas. Clapés followed the ideas of Friedrich Overbeck, a key Nazarene artist. Later, Clapés became a professor at the Escola de la Llotja himself.
Studying Abroad
Clapés continued his art education in Paris, France. He became a student of Eugène Carrière. It is also thought that Clapés took classes at the Academy of the Palette Utrillo.
He also traveled to Uruguay and Rome. In these places, he learned more about painting murals. He also studied the works of famous artists like Michelangelo and Raphael.
Later Success
Clapés had his best professional years around the turn of the century. During this time, he started to get more public attention. His success allowed him to buy a home in a nice area of Barcelona. He also opened a shop where he sold perfumes, gifts, and art objects.
Artistic Influences and Style
The late 1800s and early 1900s were a rich time for art in Catalonia. Many famous artists lived there, including Santiago Rusiñol, Ramon Casas, Antoni Gaudí, and Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Clapés knew many of these artists. They were both his friends and his rivals in the art world.
Clapés' art often explored ideas of spirituality and mystery. His style was greatly influenced by Overbeck. He used a very colorful palette, which was closer to the style of El Greco than to Overbeck.
At first, the public did not show much interest in his work. But his talent soon became known. He joined the studio of S. Juan Hernandez, where he focused on drawings and paintings. He was quickly seen as one of the best and most talented students.
Career Highlights
Working with Gaudí
Clapés took part in an art expo in 1888. This event helped him start a close friendship with Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí hired him to help decorate the Palau Güell in 1851. Clapés also worked as a director there from 1858 to 1885. He became known for the paintings that decorated the palace halls. He also created a large mural painting on the front side of the building.
Even though he worked on important projects like the Palau Güell and La Pedrera, Clapés did not always get the recognition he deserved. Gaudí's great success sometimes overshadowed Clapés' contributions. However, Gaudí's friendship also opened many doors for Clapés.
Beyond Painting
Clapés was not only a painter. He was also skilled at designing carpets and furniture. He worked closely with Josep Ribas, a furniture maker. Together, they designed furniture for places like the Asylum Hospital de Sant Pau.
For the Palau Güell, Clapés also designed special cabinet doors. These doors had twelve copper plates showing the apostles. One of these is believed to be a self-portrait of Clapés. In the living room of the palace, his paintings fill the four corners. These are large and unique artworks that fit perfectly with Gaudí's unusual architecture.
Magazine Work
Clapés started and worked for the Magazine Hispania from 1899 to 1902. This magazine was published twice a month and showed modern art and literature. During this time, Clapés was quite popular. He received many art requests from wealthy people. However, the magazine was expensive to print, and he had to close it in 1903.
Literary Contest
On August 14, 1887, a writing contest was held in Vilassar de Mar. This event was part of an effort to bring back Catalan culture. The writings had to be new and original. Aleix Clapés won a prize for his poem called "The Latin sea."
Famous Artworks
One of Aleix Clapés’ first known works was a portrait of the famous poet Joaquim Maria Bartins. This portrait was shown at the Reading Center of Reus. Today, you can see it at the Reus City Hall. Clapés painted it when Bartins was sick. The painting showed her pain during that time. It received great reviews from a local newspaper.
Clapés also painted a picture of Hercules on the outside of the Palau Güell. Hercules was a mythical hero believed to have founded Barcelona. The owner of the palace, Güell, was very interested in Hercules. Clapés also painted The Rapture on the walls of Palau Güell, where Hercules was the main character.
He also created El Prisionero (which means "The Prisoner"). This was a charcoal drawing about a historical event in Uruguay. Another work was El Peon (meaning "The Pawn"). This painting was bought by a famous leader named Trotsky in Paris in 1920. It was later taken to the Kremlin.
Here are some of his other notable works:
- Hercules Searching for the Hesperides (around 1890): This oil painting was given to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in 1928. As of 2016, it is on loan to the Palau Güell.
- Allegory of Doctor Robert (around 1890–1902): This oil painting is displayed at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.
- Self-Portrait (around 1902): This oil painting was bought by the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in 1954.
- Portrait of Manuel Dalmau Oliveres (1864–1923) (around 1915–1919): This oil painting is on display at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.
- Saint Isabel Offering the Queen’s Crown to a Beggar (around 1890–1895): This oil painting is kept in the archives at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.
- Christ and Mary Magdalene (around 1890–1918): This oil painting is also stored in the archives at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.
See also
In Spanish: Aleix Clapés para niños
