Enric Gelpí

ENRIC GELPÍ I VINTRÓ (Barcelona, 1936-Cànoves i Samalús, 2011).
"Allegorical relief, 1983.
Carved wood.
Signed and dated.
Measurements: 54,5 x 110,5 x 4 cm.

Enric Gelpí i Vintró was a sculptor, illustrator and writer nicknamed the "Hermit of Samalús II". He is especially known for his sculptures of nocturnal birds, his popular illustrated calendars and his books Mossèn Ramon Garriga i Boixader, l'Ermità de Samalús (1993) and La pregària dels animals (2000). Practically self-taught, he began his career at the Ateneo Barcelonés in 1960. In 1970 he settled in Samalús, where from 1992 he kept a permanent exhibition of his sculptural work in his own house. He held several exhibitions in Barcelona and participated in group shows in Montecarlo and Sardinia. Gelpí left his mark with several sculptures in emblematic places, such as the homage to Mossèn Garriga Boixader in Samalús, a Saint Martin in the church of Falset, the images of the church of Baqueira-Beret, as well as works in Tàrrega and Barcelona.