Rafael Canogar (1954) - El caminante

ABOUT THE PRINT
- Lithograph, photolitography


ABOUT THE ARTIST

Rafael Canogar (born in Toledo, Spain, in 1935) is widely recognized as one of the most influential Spanish abstract artistsy From a very young age, he became associated with the avant-garde movements that sought to renew Spanish art after the Spanish Civil War. In 1957, he co-founded El Paso, a groundbreaking artistic group that included artists such as Antonio Saura, Manolo Millares, and Luis Feito. This collective played a decisive role in introducing informalism and abstract expressionism into Spain, positioning the country within the international art scene during a period of political and cultural isolation under Franco’s dictatorship.

Canogar’s early works were deeply rooted in informal abstraction, characterized by gestural brushstrokes, material experimentation, and an expressive use of color and texture. By the 1960s, however, his artistic language evolved toward figurative abstraction, often incorporating references to social and political issues, with themes of oppression and conflict subtly emerging in his compositions. His later work reflects a balance between formal research and humanistic concerns, combining abstraction with figurative elements in order to explore the complexity of contemporary life.

Over the decades, Canogar has exhibited internationally, with solo and group shows in Europe, the United States, and Latin America. His work is represented in major collections, including the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the Museum of Modern Art in Paris. He has also received significant recognition, such as the National Award for Plastic Arts in Spain (1982).

Today, Canogar is regarded as a master of Spanish abstract art whose career reflects both a personal evolution and the broader development of modern Spanish painting. His work continues to influence new generations of artists.