Artwork
The Sculptor (Self portrait)
The Sculptor (Self portrait) is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Antonio Fabrés. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Antonio Fabrés, a Catalan artist active in the early twentieth century, painted a self‑portrait in 1910 titled The Sculptor. Executed in oil on canvas, the work shows the artist at work, tools in hand, and is part of the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents an older man with a full beard and mustache, dressed in a simple white shirt and a paper hat, concentrating on his craft. He holds a chisel in his right hand and a hammer in his left, emphasizing his identity as a sculptor and the dedication required by the trade.
Technique & Style
Fabrés employs a muted palette, rendering the figure’s clothing and tools in soft tones that contrast with a dark background, thereby focusing the viewer’s eye on the subject. Careful modeling of wrinkles and facial features creates a sense of three‑dimensionality, while the overall handling aligns with the decorative sensibilities of Art Nouveau.
History & Provenance
Created in 1910, the painting entered the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing Catalan artists and the broader currents of early twentieth‑century European art.
Context
Fabrés was known for both sculpture and painting, often depicting Orientalist and historical themes. This self‑portrait, however, foregrounds his personal practice, offering insight into the artist’s self‑perception during a period when Art Nouveau was influencing decorative and fine arts across Europe.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Antoni Maria Fabrés i Costa (Spanish: Antonio Maria Fabrés y Costa; 1854–1938), also known as Antoni Fabrés, was a Catalan sculptor and painter known especially for his depictions of Orientalist and period subjects.
- The Coppersmith
Alajos Stróbl at Work
Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Emil Wikström ateljeessaan Pariisissa
Phantoms in the Studio – Irony
Study of a Boy Carving a Crucifix
Smithy, study for "Das Gericht"
Viktor Malmbergin muotokuva
Old man with a fiddle
A Sculptor in his Studio Working from the Life
Bătrân mâncând (Un bătrân mâncând mămăligă)
Arkitekten Thorvald Bindesbøll i sin arbejdsstue