Joan and Josep Clarà

JOSEP CLARÀ I AYATS (Olot, Girona, 1878 - Barcelona, 1958) and JOAN CLARÁ AYATS (Olot, Girona, 1878 - Barcelona, 1958).
"Group of children".
Bronze.
Signed.
Measurements: 17,5 × 40,3 × 13,3 cm.

This sculptural group puts in dialogue the shared sensibility of the brothers Joan and Josep Clarà, two figures linked to the renovation of the Catalan sculpture of the beginning of the 20th century. The piece unites the naturalistic freshness characteristic of Joan, especially attentive to the world of children, with a serene and balanced modeling close to Josep's plastic ideal.

The composition brings together several busts of children in a horizontal arrangement, animated by different gestures, looks and attitudes. The little ones are captured with spontaneity and grace, in a scene of complicity and play that stands out for its kind and deeply human character.

Joan Clarà exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français. His work is represented in the Manuel Ramos Andrade Foundation and in the Museum of Art Nouveau and Art Déco Casa Lis in Salamanca, among other collections.

Josep Clarà was a key figure of the Catalan noucentisme. He won important awards, such as the first medal at the National Fine Arts of 1910, the medal of honor at the Barcelona International of 1929 and the Grand Prize at the II Bienal Hispanoamericana de La Habana. His work is preserved in the Museu de la Garrotxa in Olot, the MNAC and the Museum of the Abbey of Montserrat.