Enric Casanovas

ENRIC CASANOVAS ROY (Barcelona, 1882–1948).
“Female Bust.
Marble.
Signed.
Measurements: 34 x 20 x 18 cm.
The nose has been restored.

Casanovas was a key figure in the development of modern Catalan sculpture, closely linked to the Noucentista aesthetic, championing values such as harmony, serenity, and measured beauty. This portrait fully embodies those principles, combining psychological sensitivity and formal purity. The face appears serene, with an introspective expression and noble dignity, featuring gently idealized features that harmonize the portrait’s naturalism with the formal balance characteristic of Noucentisme. The marble is carved with exceptional delicacy, especially on the smooth surfaces of the face and neck.

The sculptor Enric Casanovas began his training as a disciple of Josep Llimona, before enrolling at the Escuela de La Lonja in Barcelona. In 1900, he made his first trip to Paris, and upon his return, he exhibited his work at Els Quatre Gats. Between 1904 and 1913, he lived between Paris and Barcelona, associating with Picasso, Maillol, and Gargallo, among other artists. In 1920, he was granted a special gallery at the Fine Arts Exhibition, and in 1922, he participated in the Catalan Artists Exhibition in Amsterdam. Five years later, he exhibited his work in Italy, and in 1929 he won the gold medal at the Barcelona World’s Fair. In 1932, he was admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts of Saint George, and in 1935 he received the Campeny Prize from the Generalitat de Catalunya. His work is currently represented in the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Municipal Museum of Tossa de Mar, the Jaume Morera Art Museum in Lleida, the Luis Perlotti Sculpture Museum in Buenos Aires, and the MACBA in Barcelona.