José Maria
Sert

born in 1874

Biography and information

José Maria Sert (sp. Josep Maria Sert, December 21, 1874, Barcelona - November 27, 1945, Barcelona) - Catalan muralist, unprecedentedly in demand during his lifetime and almost forgotten after his death. Sert studied in Rome, and in 25 years he came to Paris and found like-minded people among the group members "Nabi". Sert never stayed long in one place, in one city: he traveled, painted palace halls, town halls and cathedrals throughout Europe and America, earned big money and spent them without regret on expensive hotel rooms, wine and food. According to the memoirs of friends, he was a brilliant scholar and unforgettable guide and storyteller. Jose Serta's first wife was Misia Godebska, muse and patroness of young artists.

Sert died in 1945 and was buried in Vic Cathedral, whose walls he decorated with paintings twice: in from 1926 to 1930, and after his canvases were destroyed during the civil war, once again - from 1939 to 1945 .

Incredibly famous during his lifetime, Sert was consigned to oblivion after death. The main reason for this anathema is not the artist’s creativity that has lost its relevance, but personal political views. Sert was a close friend of General Francisco Franco and supported the fascist regime when he established the dictatorship in Spain.

Features of the artist Jose Maria Serta: during his life Sert painted more than 7 thousand square meters of paintings and frescoes to decorate private and public buildings. He was invited to paint the Rockefeller Center and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. In Geneva, Sert worked on the painting of the hall in the Palace of the League of Nations. His best works (in Geneva and Vick) were performed in a special, almost monochrome, color palette: yellow-brown. His recognizable style - expressive and powerful - took shape somewhere at the intersection of modernist finds and baroque traditions.

Famous works of Jose Maria Serta: “American Progress” (Rockefeller Center), frescoes of the palace of the League of Nations, "The Triumph of Apollo", "America. Winter".