Rafols Casamada (1923-2009) - Sin título

Barcelona, 1923 – 2009) was a Spanish painter, poet, and teacher, considered one of the key figures of lyrical abstraction in the contemporary Catalan and Spanish art scene. His work stands out for a deep Mediterranean sensitivity, where light, color, and a subtle orthogonal structure coexist harmoniously.
Biography and Artistic Evolution
• Beginnings and training: Son of the Neoclassical painter Albert Ràfols Cullerés, he began architecture studies at the University of Barcelona before abandoning them in 1948 to devote himself entirely to art. He was part of the avant-garde group Els Vuit.
• Parisian phase: In 1950 he moved to Paris thanks to a government fellowship shared with his wife, the painter Maria Girona. His residence there until 1954 broadened his view toward international avant-gardes.
• Toward abstraction: Although his early work traversed post-expressionism and figuration, he progressively evolved toward an abstract style characterized by emotional chromatic fields and poetic suggestions that evoked everyday elements.