Joaquim Claret

JOAQUIM CLARET VALLÈS (Camprodon, Girona, 1879 – Olot, Girona, 1964).
“The Dance,” c. 1922.
Terracotta.
Signed.
Measurements: 33 x 23 x 11 cm.

One of the most prominent sculptors in Catalonia during the first third of the 20th century, Joaquim Claret was particularly known for his small-scale works, and his artistic language is part of the reinterpretation of Classicism that took place in southern Europe during the first third of the 20th century. In fact, he was part of the Catalan Noucentisme movement and the French Neo-Classicism, drawing inspiration from Classical Antiquity and incorporating themes from the popular Mediterranean world. A precocious talent, Claret began his training in 1893 at the famous Olot School of Drawing, under the direction of Josep Berga i Boix, and three years later moved to Barcelona and enrolled at La Llotja. During his time in Barcelona, Claret combined his studies with work as an assistant in various sculpture and set design studios. After completing his military service in the Canary Islands, he returned in 1901 and began his career as an independent sculptor, eventually moving to Paris in 1906. There he worked in Aristide Maillol’s studio and frequented the city’s artistic circles. In 1914 he returned to Catalonia, and due to World War I, he was unable to return to France until 1920. From then on, he regularly participated in the Paris Salons, and in 1921 he held his first solo exhibition at the Bernheim-Jeune galleries in Paris, achieving significant success. During this period, he also held exhibitions in Catalonia, participating in shows organized by Les Arts i els Artistes and the Associació d’Escultors. He also created three pieces for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. Claret remained in Saint-Germain-en-Laye until 1940, when the German invasion of Paris prompted him to return to Olot. There, he worked at the religious art workshop El Arte Cristiano until his retirement. His work is currently represented in the Museu dels Sants in Olot, the Comarcal de La Garrotza, the Maurice Denis Museum in France, and other public and private collections.