Aureli Tolosa

AURELI TOLOSA Y ALSINA (Barcelona, 1861 - 1938).
"Landscape at sunset".
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower right corner.
With patch on the back. It presents faults in the painting (a break).
Measurements: 93 x 167 cm.

The present canvas shows a landscape worked in depth, with achieved perspective, perfectly defined in colors and shades. Its color, brushstroke, theme, composition and general vision are typical of Aureli Tolosa, of his elegant landscapes, his emotional and evocative natures, which reflect not only the environment but also the artist's own temperament.

Tolosa y Alsina was initially a disciple of the French master and painter Justin Simon and, later, of the master Modest Urgell. From his youth he stood out for his technical skills and his inspiration, especially in the field of landscape painting, which is confirmed in his huge collection. He found among the bourgeoisie and the Catalan and Spanish aristocracy numerous clients and powerful admirers, he worked in the decoration of bourgeois houses, such as the Palace of the Count of Figols or the House of the Lord Vitellin, in the same Plaza de Cataluña, and also decorate the new headquarters of the American Bank. His popularity among the bourgeoisie made him in great demand as a private painting teacher; he came to have a large number of disciples and achieved a high social position and consideration. He participated in several art contests and exhibitions in Barcelona, where he was awarded several times. Within his work, his paintings of landscapes and vases of flowers stand out, but it was his paintings of fans that gave him the category of a neat painter and excellent decorator. It is also worth mentioning the imitations of antique paintings, as well as the painting of tapestries, enamel and gilding of several works that he made in his workshop in the Letamendi square, in the city of Barcelona. He became very popular at the peninsular level, and specialized newspapers such as La Esfera: la ilustración mundial or La Ilustración Artística, among others, often mentioned him as a great master. His presence in exhibitions and competitions at the state level was frequent and he was often awarded prizes. Thus, for example, he participated in the General Exhibition of Fine Arts in Barcelona in 1894, the National Exhibition of Fine Arts in Madrid in 1930 and even in an exhibition of Spanish products held in Melilla in 1916. Although he painted individually, he was part of the Artistic and Literary Society of Catalonia, based in the Sala Parés, which organized annual exhibitions in which its members - Catalan painters such as Modest Urgell, Joaquim Mir or José Masriera - exhibited their work. Likewise, he often collaborated with the Sala Busquets in Paseo de Gracia, also in Barcelona. As has been said, he was a highly valued figure both locally and nationally, and was awarded numerous prizes, among them: General Exhibition of Fine Arts of 1894. Painting Section Award, Exhibition of Plants and Flowers, 1895. 1st Class Medal. International Furniture Exhibition of 1924. Medal of Honor.