Antoni Vila Arrufat

ANTONI VILA ARRUFAT (Sabadell, Barcelona, 1894 – Barcelona, 1989).
“Archangel,” 1943.
Charcoal and crayon on paper.
Signed and dated in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 55 x 35 cm; 72 x 52 cm (frame).

A painter, printmaker, and muralist, Antoni Vila Arrufat was a leading figure in 20th-century Catalan art. The son and student of painter Joan Vila Cinca, he completed his training at the Llotja School in Barcelona and at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. He later continued his studies in Paris and Italy; his time in Paris brought him into contact with Art Deco and new European movements, while his trip to Italy sparked his interest in fresco painting. His artistic style evolved from an initial realism toward a figurative style linked to the Noucentista spirit, characterized by solid forms, compositional clarity, and a distinctive serenity; his female figures and depictions of motherhood are particularly representative of this style. He was also one of the pioneers in the revival and renewal of fresco painting in Catalonia, creating numerous mural series on religious and secular themes. He participated in the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition and in the Venice Biennales of 1940 and 1952, and was awarded the Medal of Honor at the 1942 Barcelona National Exposition and the First Medal for Engraving in Madrid in 1948. He also served as a professor of printmaking at the Sant Jordi School of Fine Arts, where he made significant contributions to education.