Francesc Soler (1890–1958) - Inmaculada Concepción

The artwork is signed by the artist on the lower part.

The painting is presented unframed.

The painting is in acceptable condition.

Dimensions of the work: 100 cm tall by 73 cm wide

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Artist biography:

Francesc Soler (Barcelona, 1890 – 1958) was a Catalan painter specializing in religious themes, known for his deep spiritual sense and his technique influenced by symbolism and noucentisme.

Born in the Sarrià district in 1890, Soler showed from a young age a strong inclination toward sacred art and academic drawing. He enrolled at the Escola de Belles Arts de Barcelona (La Llotja) in 1906. His early period was marked by intimate works, with biblical scenes rendered in soft tones and a carefully crafted composition.

In the 1920s he travelled to Italy thanks to a grant from the Diputació de Barcelona, where he studied Renaissance frescoes, especially those of Fra Angelico and Piero della Francesca. This journey consolidated his style, characterized by serene figures, golden light, and a spiritual idealism that contrasted with avant-garde currents.

Upon his return, he undertook commissions for various Catalan parishes, notably the murals at the Monestir de Montserrat (1927–1930) and the stained glass at the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Tibidabo. During the Civil War, many of his works were destroyed, and he himself sought refuge in a Benedictine community where he continued painting devotional scenes discreetly.

After the conflict, his painting evolved toward a more austere and symbolic style, with compositions focused on sacrifice and hope.

He spent his last years teaching and restoring sacred art.

He died in Barcelona in 1958, leaving a legacy of faith and serene painting that today is partly preserved in private collections and in Catalan ecclesiastical institutions.