Antoni Serra and Enric Casanovas

ANTONI SERRA (Barcelona, 1869-1932) and ENRIC CASANOVAS (Barcelona, 1882 - 1948).
"Tirant l'art", c. 1904-1907.
Porcelain.
Poses mark on the base of the Fábrica de Porcellanes i Gres d'Art (Barcelona, 1904-1926).
Measures: 21 x 20 cm (diameter).
Entitled Tirant l'art this delicate porcelain vase is an example of the artistic quality achieved by Antoni Serra and Enric Casanovas, who collaborated together on several occasions. A similar example to the present one can be found in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catlunya, due to the relevance of the work as a symbol of the Modernista period.
The lineage of the Serra ceramists began with Antoni Serra Fiter (1869-1932), within the framework of Modernisme, who founded the first workshop specialising in ceramics and porcelain art in Spain. Serra Fiter was followed by his sons Antonio (1905-85), Josep (1906-89) and Enric (1908-86) Serra Abella, who began a new phase with a completely new orientation. Finally, Jordi Serra Moragas (1942), son of Josep Serra Abella, continues the family tradition. The sculptor Enric Casanovas began his training as a disciple of Josep Llimona, and then entered the La Lonja School in Barcelona. In 1900 he made his first trip to Paris, and on his return he exhibited his work at Els Quatre Gats. Between 1904 and 1913 he lived between Paris and Barcelona, in contact with Picasso, Maillol and Gargallo, among other artists. In 1920 he was given a special room at the Fine Arts Exhibition, and in 1922 he took part in the Catalan Artists' Exhibition in Amsterdam. Five years later he showed his work in Italy, and in 1929 he was awarded the gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Barcelona. In 1932 he entered the Academy of Fine Arts of San Jorge, and in 1935 he was awarded the Campeny prize by the Generalitat de Catalunya. He 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.