Rossend Nobas

ROSSEND NOBAS I BALLBÉ (Barcelona, 1841–1891).
“Rafael de Casanova,” 1888.
Stucco with bronze patina.
Signed.
Measurements: 130 x 29 x 31 cm.

Rossend Nobas was a prominent Catalan goldsmith and sculptor, considered one of the leading exponents of realism and naturalism in 19th-century sculpture. Trained at the Escuela de la Lonja under the guidance of the Vallmitjana brothers, Nobas began his career as a chaser in the Masriera workshop before establishing himself as a sculptor known for his virtuosic technique and attention to detail. He achieved great renown with his work *Wounded Bullfighter* (1871), which won an award at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts, and left a profound mark on Barcelona’s urban landscape with monumental works such as the *Chariot of Aurora* in Ciutadella Park, the monument to Juan Güell y Ferrer, and the iconic statue of Rafael Casanova. His studio was also an important center for training, where sculptors of the caliber of Josep Llimona and Manel Fuxà were educated, consolidating a legacy that is preserved today in institutions such as the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC).