EXHIBITION

Virgilio Vallmajó or Olot's Otherness

1915, OLOT

Virgilio Alcalde Vallmajó was born in the Pont neighbourhood of Olot on 13 May 1915. Of humble origins, he entered the world of painting at a very young age, working in a workshop producing religious imagery. His training as a craftsman was combined with a keen interest in the political and popular scene in the city.

Video 1

Virgilio Vallmajó “Geometric Composition”, Water-based technique on canvas, 92 × 73 cm.

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Virgilio Vallmajó, “Brown Still Life”, Water-based technique on cardboard, 46.3 x 61.5 cm

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Virgilio Vallmajó, ‘Guitarra’, Water-based technique on canvas, 54,5 x 72 cm.

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1936, THE CIVIL WAR

The Spanish Civil War broke out on 17 July 1936, catching Virgilio by surprise during his sporadic stay in Madrid. The civil war had a decisive impact on his life and work.

Virgilio Vallmajó, “Untitled”, Water-based technique on canvas, 89 x 29.5 cm.

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Video 2

Virgilio's precarious and unhealthy circumstances led him to work with pigments and materials of poor quality. Today, the condition of the works bears witness to their historical period.

The artist always signed his works solely as “Virgilio”.

Some of his figurative pieces feature elements of Catalan culture, such as the porrón. The guitar, on the other hand, is a recurring object in his work.

Even in his most figurative phase, Virgilio already shows a remarkable interest in the geometric synthesis of forms.

Vallmajó's colour palette — especially in his earliest period — tends towards warm, earthy tones.

Virgilio's precarious and unhealthy circumstances led him to work with pigments and materials of poor quality. Today, the condition of the works bears witness to their historical period.

The artist always signed his works solely as “Virgilio”.

Some of his figurative pieces feature elements of Catalan culture, such as the porrón. The guitar, on the other hand, is a recurring object in his work.

Even in his most figurative phase, Virgilio already shows a remarkable interest in the geometric synthesis of forms.

Vallmajó's colour palette — especially in his earliest period — tends towards warm, earthy tones.

Virgilio Vallmajó, “Geometric Composition”, Water-based technique on canvas, 50 x 39.5 cm

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Vigilio Vallmajó, “Still Life”, 1946, Water-based technique on canvas, 38 x 55 cm.

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Virgilio Vallmajó “Geometric Composition”, Water-based technique on canvas, 54 x 46 cm.

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Virgilio Alcalde Vallmajó, “Geometric Composition”, Water-based paint on canvas, 61 x 41 cm.

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1942, TOULOUSE

As the Spanish conflict draws to a close, Virgilio settles in Toulouse just as the Second World War begins. The ever-increasing migratory flows foster extensive cultural exchange on a European scale.

Video 3

At this more advanced stage of his brief career, we begin to see more cool tones that contrast and complement his usual palette.

As Virgil's health deteriorates, his works become more concise, more essential.
Despite everything, try to paint until the end.

The dynamic and radical nature of Virgilio's geometric abstraction may indicate a possible influence from artists such as Otto Freundlich or Sonia Delaunay.

At this more advanced stage of his brief career, we begin to see more cool tones that contrast and complement his usual palette.

As Virgil's health deteriorates, his works become more concise, more essential.
Despite everything, try to paint until the end.

The dynamic and radical nature of Virgilio's geometric abstraction may indicate a possible influence from artists such as Otto Freundlich or Sonia Delaunay.

1947, DEATH

It was in Toulouse where, with his tuberculosis worsening, he died at the age of thirty-three, leaving behind more than a hundred pieces and a pioneering body of work waiting to be discovered. He would be one of the first Spanish painters to achieve radical geometric abstraction.

1915, Olot 1936, Civil War 1942, Toulouse 1947, Death 2000's, Recovery

1915, Olot 1936, Civil War 1942, Toulouse 1947, Death 2000's, Recovery

He was born in Olot into a humble family and began painting at a very young age, working in a workshop producing religious imagery.

The Civil War had a profound impact on his life and work, forcing him into exile.

Tolosa is established in a post-war context of intense European cultural exchange.

He died in Toulouse at the age of 33 from tuberculosis, leaving behind a pioneering body of work yet to be discovered.

The artistic ecosystem is beginning to rediscover Vallmajó's artistic legacy, as well as his figure. Today, his recognition continues to grow.

In recent years, his work has been acquired by such prestigious institutions as the Nacional Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC) and the Generalitat of Catalonia.

Would you like to see the works in person?

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