Rafael Domènech i Gallissà 2017

Editor: This oil painting, "Rafael Domènech i Gallissà" by Alejandro Cabeza from 2017, has a very formal feel, doesn't it? There’s something about the muted color palette and the sitter’s composed expression that gives a sense of old-world authority. What are your initial thoughts? Curator: It is interesting to consider how artists today choose to depict historical figures or create portraits in a classical style. Who was Rafael Domènech i Gallissà, and why might Cabeza choose to paint him now, in 2017? Was this a commission, or a personal project reflecting on Catalan identity? Editor: I believe Domènech i Gallissà was a prominent modernist architect from Barcelona. Knowing that, does the painting shift for you at all? Does the seemingly traditional style interact with the subject's modernism in some way? Curator: It does, substantially! The revival of a somewhat academic style – reminiscent of portraiture from the late 19th century – is a deliberate choice. Cabeza may be positioning Domènech i Gallissà within a specific lineage of Catalan cultural figures, reinforcing his importance in shaping Barcelona's identity through architecture. Do you see any elements that might disrupt the classic composure of the image? Editor: Now that you mention it, the brushstrokes in the background seem more visible and loose compared to the detailed face. Maybe the artist is subtly breaking the classical illusion, making it contemporary. Curator: Precisely! That tension between meticulous representation and visible artistic gesture brings a modern self-awareness. Cabeza’s choice elevates Domènech i Gallissà beyond a mere individual likeness, to becoming a symbol, consciously constructed within a cultural narrative. Editor: It’s fascinating how a seemingly straightforward portrait can open up so many avenues of interpretation, especially when considering the socio-political context and the artist’s deliberate choices. Curator: Exactly. Paying attention to those artistic decisions opens our eyes to how history and identity are actively constructed through art.