A pioneering figure in Catalan literature
Born in 1845, this writer became one of the first novelists in the Catalan language and an outstanding feminist in our country. Originally from Barcelona, she grew up in a culturally enriched environment thanks to the gatherings organized by her father, where personalities such as Anselm Clavé, Milà i Fontanals, and Narcís Monturiol met. His mother, a cultured woman at that time, was an important influence in his education, being one of the first students of Madame de Saint Paul, the first teacher in Barcelona with a diploma in French.
A life marked by overcoming
After marrying the silversmith Eusebi Macià and having four children, the novelist’s life was marked by loss, becoming a widow and fatherless at a young age. In addition, he had to deal with the loss of a son, the heir, and a daughter. Despite these adversities, she stood out in several literary genres, but she is especially remembered for her novelistic side, with works such as La fabricante, a novel about Barcelona customs that reflects a feminist approach.
A literary legacy with a strong social commitment
The protagonist of La fabricanta, Antonieta, is a woman of artisan origin with aspirations to make her way in the industrial world of Catalonia at the end of the 19th century. Through her experiences, the author highlights the difficulties and obstacles that women faced at that time to achieve recognition and independence. In addition, in other works such as Maria Glòria and the novel of the seamstresses, the author addresses issues such as working conditions, uncertainty and the subsistence difficulties of working women, defending women’s right to paid work.
A literary and feminist reference
His work has been recognized as a precursor in the realistic presentation of the female gender, rejecting frivolity and sentimentality. Her female characters are characterized by having firm principles, and the author transmits a message committed to the situation of women at that time. In addition to his facet as a novelist, he also stood out as a columnist and addressed issues of social importance, without limiting himself to exclusively female issues. However, despite his merits, his figure has been little known and recognized by certain sectors.