Aureli Tolosa

AURELI TOLOSA Y ALSINA (Barcelona, 1861–1938).
“Landscape with a Shepherd.”
Oil on canvas.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 70 x 120 cm; 103 x 156 cm (frame).

This painting depicts a landscape rendered with great depth, featuring a masterful sense of perspective and perfectly defined colors and nuances. Its color, brushwork, subject matter, composition, and overall vision are characteristic of Aureli Tolosa—of his elegant landscapes and his emotive, evocative still lifes, which reflect not only the atmosphere but also the artist’s own temperament.

Tolosa y Alsina was initially a student of the French master painter Justin Simon and, later, of the master Modest Urgell. From his youth, he stood out for his technical skill and inspiration, especially in the field of landscape painting, as evidenced by his vast body of work. He found numerous clients and influential admirers among the Catalan and Spanish bourgeoisie and aristocracy; he worked on the decoration of bourgeois homes, such as the Palace of the Count of Figols or the Casa del Señor Vitelino, right on Plaza de Cataluña, and also decorated the new headquarters of the Banco Americano. His popularity among the bourgeoisie made him highly sought after as a private painting instructor; he thus came to have a large number of students and achieved high esteem and social standing. He participated in various art competitions and exhibitions in Barcelona, where he won awards on several occasions. His body of work is notable for his landscape paintings and still lifes of flowers, but it was his paintings on fans that earned him a reputation as a meticulous painter and an excellent decorator. Also noteworthy are his imitations of old master paintings, as well as his work on tapestries, enamels, and gilding on various pieces, which he produced in his studio on Plaza de Letamendi in Barcelona. He became very popular throughout the Iberian Peninsula, and specialized journals such as *La Esfera: la ilustración mundial* and *La Ilustración Artística*, among others, frequently mentioned him, describing him as a great master. He was a frequent participant in national exhibitions and competitions and was often awarded prizes. 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 an exhibition of Spanish products held in Melilla in 1916. Although he painted independently, he was a member of the Artistic and Literary Society of Catalonia, based at the Sala Parés, which organized annual exhibitions where its members—Catalan painters such as Modest Urgell, Joaquim Mir, and José Masriera—displayed their work. He also frequently collaborated with the Sala Busquets on Paseo de Gracia, another Barcelona institution. As mentioned, he was a highly regarded figure both locally and nationally, and was awarded numerous prizes, including: the 1894 General Exhibition of Fine Arts. Painting Section Award at the 1895 Plants and Flowers Exhibition. First-Class Medal. 1924 International Furniture Exhibition. Medal of Honor.