Rafael Solanic

RAFAEL SOLANIC BALIUS (Barcelona, 1895 - 1990).
"Female nude".
Terracotta.
Work cataloged in "R. Solanic, sculptor", Dep. of Culture of the Generalitat.
Other versions in stucco and green patinated stoneware are known.
With label of the III Salón Nacional de la Acuarela, Prize Choral Society "El Micalet", 1960.
Measurements: 25 x 27 x 13 cm; 28 x 30 x 11 cm (with base).

Rafael Solanic was a disciple and assistant in the workshop of the sculptors Esteve Monegal and Eusebi Arnau. He completed his training at the Escuela Superior de Bellos Oficios, where at the end of his studies he also worked as a teacher. Stylistically, he belongs to the "noucentista" ("noucentista") movement, like Frederic Marès or Enric Monjo, among others. He worked both in free-standing sculpture and architectural ornamentation, in materials such as marble, bronze, stoneware, iron or wood. He received commissions from both churches and public and private institutions in Catalonia and held several solo exhibitions, mainly in the Syra and Badrinas galleries in Barcelona. In 1943 he won a third medal at the National Exhibition in Madrid and in 1949 a gold medal at the National Exhibition of Decorative Arts. He also presided over the Círculo Artístico de San Lucas, and received other awards and distinctions, such as the Cross of Sant Jordi of Catalonia in 1986. Much of his work is preserved in the Frederic Marès Museum in Barcelona. His work in public places includes the Domènec Sanllehy fountain in the square of the same name, the Carmen Amaya fountain in the Brugada square in Barcelona and other monuments.