Aleix Clapés

Alex Clapés (Vilassar de Dalt, September 10, 1850 – Barcelona, 1920) was a Catalan modernisme artist. He was one of the less known painters in the late 19th century and early 20th century in Catalonia, Spain. He was born in Vilassar de Dalt on September 10, 1850. He died in Barcelona in 1920. He is most known for performing some commissions for the Güell family, thanks to his friend and colleague, Antoni Gaudí. Clapés was born in Vilassar de Dalt, Catalonia, in 1850. Very little information is known about his personal life. He was the youngest child in a large family. He was the son of Villa Teresa Puig and Antonio Pons Clapés. He was primarily raised in Vilassar. Later, he married Gumersinda, a woman from Rues. She was a widow who was originally married to Mariano Ferré Bergues and had two children. Clapés and Gumersinda later had a daughter together, Teresa. When he lived to Reus, Spain, he found his mentor and fellow painter Franco Hernandez. With a good understanding of the basic artistic skills, he went to Barcelona where he enrolled in the Escola de la Llotja where he learned from Claudi Lorenzale. Majority of Aleix Clapés' works were in opposition of Claudio Lorenzale, which led to Clapés being one of Lorenzale's favorite students. Lorenzale was active in a group called the Natzaren painters, which was a group of German painters who were led religiously by Frederick Overbeck. Clapés was a primary disciple of Friedrich Overbeck and was later appointed professor at the Escola de la Llotja. Clapés later went to Paris, France to further his education where he became a pupil of Eugène Carrière. It also is assumed that Clapés took lessons at the Academy of the Palette Utrillo. He moved to Uruguay and Rome. Where he worked on mural painting techniques. He also studied the works of Michelangelo and Raphael. Clapés’ best professional years occurred at the turn of the century. He received a minimal amount of social recognition during this time period. These accomplishments allowed him to purchase a home in the Rambla de Catalonia.