Barcelona’s Bohemian Past: Nonell & Vallmitjana

In Barcelona, Spain, the Fundació Palau is exhibiting the works of painter Isidre Nonell and writer Juli Vallmitjana, exploring their shared fascination with the city’s Roma community and its underclass during the vibrant turn of the 20th century. The exhibition and accompanying book by Julià Guillamon detail a Barcelona marked by class disparity, artistic bohemia, and ideological clashes between Modernist and Noucentist movements.

Nonell initially faced criticism for his paintings of Roma women, which later gained acclaim. Vallmitjana transitioned from painting to literature, achieving success with the play Els Zin-calós, also centered on Roma life. Both artists deeply immersed themselves in this often-exoticized world, with Vallmitjana undertaking extensive anthropological study.

The exhibition features striking portraits and caricatures, including one of Nonell by Ramon Casas and images of actress Margarita Xirgu. A planned reconciliation between the two artists was cut short by Nonell’s death in 1911. The show is based on Guillamon’s book, which expands on the historical context with exhaustive research and archival materials.