The Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya has acquired a collection of eleven works by lluïsa vidal i puig (Barcelona, 1876-1918), a prominent figure in early 20th-century Catalan art and a pioneer in the professionalisation of women in the arts. The purchase, amounting to €129,000, adds a selection of paintings and drawings dated between 1901 and 1914 to the public heritage.
This acquisition strengthens the representation of vidal in the national collection, contributing to a more complete and inclusive narrative of Catalan art history. Among the notable pieces is lo noy del gos, which was showcased at the V International Art Exhibition in Barcelona in 1907 and awarded a second-class medal. Created using sanguine and chalk on paper, the work highlights vidal's mastery of drawing and her ability to capture the spontaneity of childhood.
A representative selection of her work
The collection also includes mestressa de casa, a preparatory study linked to a piece held at the National Art Museum of Catalonia; marcelet malalt, a family scene of notable pictorial quality; and retrat de l’escultor manel fuxà, from 1914, which exemplifies vidal's artistic maturity and portraiture skills. Urban themes are present in des de la meva finestra a chaussée d’antin, reflecting her stay in Paris between 1901 and 1902, and in terrats de barcelona, which showcases her interest in light, architecture, and contemporary city life.
Illumination of culture and feminism
This acquisition also highlights vidal's work as an illustrator, a significant aspect of her artistic output. Works such as una vida, natura, and pataclé are linked to feminal, a key publication in early 20th-century Catalan women's culture and feminism. Other pieces, including celia and la mismísima energía, are associated with la ilustración artística. These works document vidal's involvement in the cultural and feminist circles of her time.
Lluïsa vidal was one of the first women to pursue a professional career in painting, creating a personal and innovative body of work at a time when women had limited access to artistic training and professional opportunities. In 1911, she founded a drawing and painting academy primarily for women, a pioneering initiative in Catalonia.
The eleven works acquired are: lo noy del gos; mestressa de casa; una vida; celia; la mismísima energía; des de la meva finestra a chaussée d’antin; terrats de barcelona; marcelet malalt; retrat de l’escultor manel fuxà; natura; and pataclé. The acquisition has received a favourable report from the Board of Qualification, Valuation and Export of Cultural Heritage Goods of Catalonia.
The national collection
The purchase of these works by lluïsa vidal is part of the acquisition policy of the Department of Culture, which, through the National Fund for the Acquisition of Cultural Goods, promotes the inclusion of artistically, historically, and culturally significant works in the national collection. The acquired pieces will be deposited in museums and heritage institutions across the country, aiming to enrich public collections and ensure the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage.
