Josep Jordi Guardiola i Bonet

JOSEP JORDI GUARDIOLA I BONET (Barcelona, 1869–1950).
Decorative plate with a marine allegory, 1940.
Glazed and hand-decorated ceramic.
Signed, dated, and inscribed on the reverse: "Guardiola, April 7, 1940, Barcelona, Gràcia / c. Mozart, 6."
It exhibits slightly worn areas and minor chipping along the rim.
Measurements: 5.5 cm high x 38 cm in diameter.

The decoration on this plate is rendered using a light and luminous color palette. The arrangement of the figures follows the circular movement of the plate’s form, integrating the narrative into the shape of the plate itself. The undulating lines of the water, the unfurled sails, and the swirling clouds lend dynamism to a fantastical composition, conceived as a free evocation of the world of Nereids, mermaids, and sea creatures. The sensual rendering of the figures and the abundance of narrative elements reflect Guardiola’s personal style, characterized by compositions with a distinctly decorative flair and a certain tendency toward horror vacui.

Josep Jordi Guardiola i Bonet trained as a painter and draftsman at the Escola de la Llotja, although from 1918 onward he devoted himself primarily to ceramic decoration. His body of work includes scenes populated by nymphs, satyrs, mythological figures, and fantastical motifs, situated between the Modernist tradition and the Novecentist sensibility. He gained recognition at various international exhibitions, including those in Paris in 1925, Philadelphia in 1926, and Barcelona in 1929.