Introduction
Today, on Women’s Day, we want to remember one of the great Catalan painters and artists of the 20th century, Maria Girona i Benet. His pictorial work and his participation in artistic movements have left an important legacy in Catalan culture.
A life dedicated to art
Maria Girona was born in 1923 in Barcelona. He studied in Paris and traveled through Belgium, Holland and England to deepen his artistic training. She was influenced by the work of the artist Henri Matisse and developed her own pictorial style, characterized by chromatic landscapes, still lifes and portraits.
During her career, Maria Girona participated in artistic movements such as the EINA School, the Els Vuit group and Estampa Popular. She also collaborated with her husband, Albert Ràfols-Camada, who was also a painter and artist. Together with him, he had a prominent presence and influence in the cultural life of Catalonia during the 20th century.
A committed marriage
Maria Girona and Albert Ràfols-Camada were an unrepeatable marriage in the history of Catalan art. They were recognized for their participation in social and political movements. They took part in the famous closure of the Montserrat monastery in 1970 and made a mural in favor of freedom of expression in Les Cotxeres de Sants seven years later.
Despite her close relationship with Ràfols-Camada, Maria Girona always stood out for her own artistic voice. She was an artist with a great personality and contributed to the Els Vuit group, along with other artists such as Miquel Gusils, Joan Palà, Ricardo Lorenzo, Vicenç Rossell and the musician Joan Comellas.
An artistic legacy
Maria Girona left an important artistic legacy, with works that reflect her personal vision of the world. His landscapes and interiors of Barcelona, Cadaqués, Capellades and Calaceit stand out. His work has been recognized and valued, and he received the Creu de Sant Jordi in 1998.
Although Maria Girona died nine years ago, her legacy lives on and continues to be a source of inspiration for new artists. His contribution to Catalan art and his influence on the country’s culture cannot be forgotten.