Rafael Durancamps

RAFAEL DURANCAMPS (Sabadell, 1891 - Barcelona, 1979).
"Composition. Book on the table".
Oil on canvas.
Needs restoration.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 72 x 91 cm; 93 x 112 cm (frame).
Originally called Rafael Duran i Camps, he was a disciple of Vila Cinca in the Industrial School of Arts and Crafts of Sabadell. Later he met Joaquín Mir, with whom he established a close relationship, and whose style influenced the colorful language of Durancamps' first period. He exhibited for the first time in 1917, in the Layetanas Galleries of Barcelona, reaping a success that encouraged him to continue painting despite the opposition of his family. He spent several seasons in Madrid, where he studied the masters of the Prado Museum, and then traveled to Italy. He returned to Barcelona and took part in various competitions, obtaining important prizes such as the Masriera medal, as well as holding several exhibitions in the Sala Parés. In 1921 he travels for the first time to Paris, and five years later he returns to France, settling in the city of Passy until 1939. During these years he meets Picasso, who encourages him to hold exhibitions at the Zak gallery, shows in which he obtained considerable success, which was increasing in his successive exhibitions. He returned to Spain and settled in San Sebastian, but continued to work closely with the Sala Parés, where he continued to hold exhibitions until his death. He also held various exhibitions in Madrid, Sabadell, Bilbao, Valencia, London and Philadelphia. He is represented in the Museums of Modern Art in Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian and Buenos Aires, as well as in a large number of Spanish and foreign collections.