Josep Clarà facts for kids

Josep Clarà i Ayats (born December 16, 1878 – died November 4, 1958) was an important Spanish artist. He was known for creating beautiful sculptures. His artwork was even part of the sculpture event at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Biography of Josep Clarà

Josep Clarà was born in Olot, a town in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. This was in 1878. He went to the Olot School of Drawing. His teacher there was Josep Berga i Boix. A famous painter named Joaquim Vayreda once praised one of young Clarà's drawings. This made Clarà very happy and encouraged him to keep making art.

In 1897, Clarà started studying at the School of Fine Arts in Toulouse, France. He later moved to Paris in 1890 (this date seems to be a typo in the original text, likely 1900 or later, but I must keep the original information). In Paris, he met the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin. Meeting Rodin inspired Clarà to focus on sculpture. He also became good friends with another sculptor, Arístides Maillol. Clarà learned from a teacher named Louis-Ernest Barrias.

Artistic Style and Inspiration

Josep Clarà created many sketches of the dancer Isadora Duncan. He captured her unique movements in his art. After Duncan passed away in 1927, another dancer, Antonia Mercé, became his model. To finish his art training, Clarà traveled to London and Italy.

He went back to Paris and became a well-known sculptor. His sculptures were strong and solid. He showed his art in many exhibitions. These shows were held in Paris, London, Berlin, and Barcelona.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1932, Josep Clarà moved to Barcelona for good. He kept working and showing his art there until he passed away. He died on November 4, 1958. His very last sculpture was called "Estàtica," which he worked on from 1954 to 1958.

Most of Clarà's artworks are now in museums. You can see many of them at the Museu de la Garrotxa in Olot. The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona also has many of his pieces. Other museums around the world have his sculptures too. These include the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Santiago, Chile. His art is also in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana, Cuba, and the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse, France, also display his work. Finally, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid has some of his art.

See also

In Spanish: Josep Clarà para niños