Juan José Barberá (1954) - Untitled

Juan José Barberá (Valencia, 1954) is a Spanish painter who is regarded as one of the important representatives of the revival of figurative art in Spain from the eighties. He studied at the Valencia School of Arts and Crafts, then at the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts and also specialized in fresco painting in Sant Cugat del Vallès.

Barberá broke through in the early eighties with several prizes and distinctions, including the prestigious Senyera Prize for painting in Valencia. Thanks to a scholarship he worked at the famous Casa de Velázquez in Madrid, an important center for artistic development.

His work is often placed within postmodernism, with influences from the neo-expressionist and transavant-garde currents. Characteristic are his powerful brushwork, rich use of color and the ongoing drive to experiment with new techniques and materials. In his later work he developed a more complex and sometimes almost surreal imagery.

What makes Barberá special is his versatility. He painted both figurative compositions, still lifes and landscapes as well as more free and experimental works. His paintings often show a search for new forms of expression, where emotion and imagination play an important role.

Besides his work as an artist, Barberá was also linked to the University of Valencia, where he worked as a lecturer in painting. His work was exhibited in Spain and internationally, including in Germany and other European countries.

Art-historical significance