Jaume Salvador

Geology Museum (Parc de la Ciutadella)

Sculptor: Eduard B. Alentorn, signed
Architect: Antoni Rovira i Trias
Materials: White marble on stone pedestal
Inauguration: December 15, 1884

The neoclassical building which houses the Museum of Geology of Barcelona is a symmetrical building with an entrance portico topped by a pediment supported by four Ionic columns. On the main facade, flanking the access stairway inside are the statues of two seated figures, larger than life sculpted by Eduard B. Alentorn. The figure concerns us now represents the botanist and pharmacist Barcelona Jaume Salvador i Pedrol (1649-1740), considered the most representative of a lineage of distinguished scientists and professionals and in 1697 was elected councilor of the city of Barcelona.

Realistic style, this work shows mastery of the art of sculpture in marble which had its author, especially visible in the careful reproduction, both the chair where the character depicted sitting, as in perfect imitation of folds clothing he wears. The scientist was captured holding a branch with several leaves with a book or notebook on the thigh and various types of plants around elements alluding to his role as scholar of the natural sciences which brought a magnificent herbarium. Both the relaxed position of the character, with the head turned looking right, as eloquent expression of his face, transmit a dynamism that keeps this stiffness figure showing other works by inexperienced sculptors. I must say that the form of the seated figure is a relatively uncommon typology variant as the main statues of monuments. In fact, their appearance, as noted by Carlos Reyero in the study of the memorial sculpture in Spain, was the result of realistic fashion and is usually applied to characters in which the seated attitude is a representative dimension as writers, artists or scientific researchers, that tranquility and abstracted with inner reflection gesture is associated.

  • S. Pere, S. Caterina i La Ribera
  • Parc de La Ciutadella

  • Metro L1ARC DE TRIOMF

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