RAFAEL DURANCAMPS I FOLGUERA (Sabadell, 1891 -... Lot 5

RAFAEL DURANCAMPS I FOLGUERA (Sabadell, 1891 - Barcelona, 1979). "Siesta on the Beach". Oil on panel. Signed in the lower left corner. Size: 38 x 60 cm; 65 x 85 cm (frame). Originally called Rafael Duran i Camps, he was a disciple of Vila Cinca at the Industrial School of Arts and Crafts in Sabadell. He later met Joaquín Mir, with whom he established a close relationship, and whose style influenced the colourful language of Durancamps's early period. He exhibited for the first time in 1917 at the Galerías Layetanas in Barcelona, and his success encouraged him to continue painting despite his family's opposition. He spent several periods in Madrid, where he studied the masters of the Prado Museum, and then travelled to Italy. He returned to Barcelona and took part in various competitions, winning important prizes such as the Masriera medal, as well as holding several exhibitions at the Sala Parés. In 1921 he travelled to Paris for the first time, and five years later he returned to France, settling in the town of Passy until 1939. During these years he met Picasso, who encouraged him to hold exhibitions at the Zak gallery, where he enjoyed considerable success, which increased with his successive exhibitions. He returned to Spain and settled in San Sebastián, but continued to work closely with the Sala Parés, where he continued to hold exhibitions until his death. He also held various exhibitions in Madrid, Sabadell, Bilbao, Valencia, London and Philadelphia. He is represented in the Museums of Modern Art in Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastián and Buenos Aires, as well as in a large number of Spanish and foreign collections.