The Merchant

Entry Passeig Lluís Companys of the Parc de la Ciutadella

Sculptor: Agapito Vallmitjana i Barbany signed, execution: Joseph Case
Design: Josep Fontseré
Materials: Limestone

In November 1882 the Vallmitjana receive informal custom stone sculpting the four statues were crowned pedestals doors Park Gardens. The City Council hired Venanci performing allegorical industry and trade statues and allegories Agapito agriculture and fishing. Despite being well established in the documents, it was finally Venanci who signed the allegories of agriculture and navy, while the other two Agapito signed them. Currently the firm can be found in the sculptures not correspond to what had been hired in the first place. In addition, we must add that the final realization of all groups was by the sculptor Josep housing, who faithfully followed the designs of the Vallmitjana.

The four allegories chosen to be located in such prominent places in the park serve to show the official ideology of the time linked to the official exhibitions: the union of science, commerce, industry and work in the arts in a progressive perspective, a spokesman be robed figures with great clothes and attributes that clarify its meaning. Except for the figure representing trade, the three statues that decorate the entrance to the park are female figures. In all, the sculptors were able to find the grandiosity necessary in every work located with elevated viewpoint.

In the case of allegory trade, chose the figure of Mercury, god traditionally used to represent it. This protective god of merchants is represented at the gates of the park as a young character covered with the winged hat, leaning indolently on boxes and carrying in one hand a bag of coins and the other his teaching, the caduceus or rod with two snakes screwed. Beside, there is a putti concerned to target accounts. As for the technique generally shows a high degree, although in the description of the body can be seen an error, such as a leg, too long compared to the other, while the other does not completely well where it comes from. However, treatment of forms is elegant, mainly with regard to the folds of the clothes are falling gently and loosely posed while to find soft serve chiaroscuro effects. The head and torso are modeled, with more sensationalism, and the rear parts of the statue are resolved more clearly when compared with the solutions given by his brother Venanci in the groups that decorate the door walk Customs, which, moreover, are more dynamic.

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

  • Metro L1ARC DE TRIOMF

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