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Javier Vilató

Javier Vilató

Javier Vilató was born Barcelona in 1921. Younger brother of J.Fín, he shows since his childhood a clear artistic vocation.
 
In 1939, after the Spanish Civil War, he moves to Paris and is and inmate at the refugee camp in Argelés. His uncle Pablo Picasso manages to get him out and he settles in Paris until the beginning of the II World War, when he moves back to Barcelona where he will begin his exhibiting activity.
With a grant from the French government, Javier Vilató settles definitely in Paris in 1946, and since 1948, when he becomes a member of the Parisian artistic scene, he exhibits at the more relevant salons. At the beginning of the 50s Javier Vilató starts working on engravings, a technique that, over the years will be as important as painting in his work. He works on bibliophile editions of writers such as Lorca, Claude Roy or Andrée Chedid.
 
During the 50s and 60s, his work gains international exposure: not only he returned to Barcelona, he also exhibits in galleries in Genève, London or Torino. Institutions such as the National Library in Paris or The Spanish Museum of Contemporary art show his works.
 
By the end of the 60 and in recognition of his works as engraver, Javier Vilató is appointed member of the la Societé des Peintres Graveurs Français. In those years he will also work in murals of ceramics by commission
 
During the decades of the 70s and 80s the work of Javier Vilató gets international recognition with exhibitions in museums, foundations and galleries in Switzerland, Mexico, France, Spain, Italy, England…
 
After presenting a few group shows at Dalmau gallery in Barcelona, in 1999 Javier Vilató will present his first solo show there after more than 30 year without presenting a personal show in his hometown.  This return will be a success of critic and public.
 
In 2000, Javier Vilató dies in Paris.
In 2012, the city of Barcelona pays homage to him with the exhibition “Viató (1921-2000) Barcelona-Paris the road to freedom”. It was presented in five spaces, each one focused on one theme of his work. : Sala Dalmau presented “Coses” (things), the Frederic Marès Museum “En bronze” (in bronze), the Picasso Museum “Gent” (people), the Vila Casas Foundation “Bestioles” (little beasts) and Joan Gaspar Gallery “En paper” (in paper).

Javier Vilató CV

Work in museums

 
-Museum of Fine Arts,  Caen, France.
-MNAC, Barcelona.
-Ceret Museum, France.
-Epinal Museum , France.
-Limoges Museum, France.
-National Biblioteque, Paris.
-Georges Pompidou Center, Paris.
-Contemporary National Art Collection, Paris.
-National French Furniture.
-Contemporary Art Collection, Orne, France.
-MOMA, New York.
-Boston Museum.
-Universidad de Yale.
-Johannesburg Museum.
-Vila Casas Foundation, Barcelona.
-Reina Sofia Museum, Madrd..
-Telefónica Foundation, Madrid.
-Spanish Museum of Contemporary Engraving, Marbella.
-Cadaqués Museum, Cadaqués, Spain.
-Cuenca Museum, Cuenca, Spain.
-Las Palmas Museum.
-Valls Museum, Valls, Spain.
-Benaki Museum, Athens.
-Alexandre Soutzos National Gallery, Athens.
-Municipal Gallery, Athens.
-Salonique Gallery,Thessaloniki.
-Jerusalem Museum, Jerusalem
-Halsingland Museum, Hudiskvall, Sweden.
-Yverdon Municipal Collections, Switzerland.
-Neuchâtel History and Fine Arts Museum, Switzerland.
 
 

Selected solo exhibitions

2021

100 obras para un Centenario, Casa Natal de Picasso Museum, Malaga.

2020

Participates in the exhibition De Miró a Barcelona. Un siglo de arte español (From Miró to Barceló. A century of Spanish art). Pompidou Center. Malaga.

Participates in the exhibition 1939, exilio republicano español (1939, Spanish repubican exodus), Arquerías de Nuevos Ministerios, Madrid.

2019

Participates in the exhibition Picasso and the Exodus. A Spanish history of art  in  resistance.  Les Abbatoirs, Toulouse.

2013
Joan Gaspar Gallery, Madrid.
 
2012
 
Hommage from the city of Barcelona. 5 different spaces present the exhibtion  "Vilató, Barcelona-París. The road to freedom".
-Sala Dalmau Gallery "Coses".
-Picasso Museum "Gent".
-Marès Museum "En bronze".
-Vila Casas Foundation "Bestiones".
-Joan Gaspar Gallery "En paper".
 
For more information, click here.
 
 
2005
Vilató, de Barcelona a París, Vila Casas Foundation, Barcelona.
 
2003
House of Catalonia, Paris
Cervantes Institute, Paris.
 
2001
Vilató escultor,Telefónica Arte y Tecnología Foundation, Madrid.
Funicular railway station, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Unveiling of the new space of his grand copper relief.
 
2000
Espiscopal Palce, Málaga.
Santa Inés Convent, Sevilla
 
1999
Château de Carrouge. Office Départemental de la Culture de l’Orne. France.
Goya-Ville de Castres Museum. Tarn (France).
Exposición homenaje 1938-1999, Sala Dalmau Gallery, Barcelona.
 
1998
ESTAMPA 98 (sculptures), Madrid.
 
1997
Carmen Héritier Gallery, Mirmande (France).
 
1996
La FenêtreGallery(engravings). Paris.
 
1995
Vilató en las colecciones europeas,Telefónica Arte y Tecnología  Foundation, Madrid.
 
1994
Artothèque (engravings), Nice (France).
Spanish Museum of Contemporary Engraving (engravings), Marbella.
 
1993
Tiziano Gallery, Alicante.
Lina Davidov Gallery , Paris.
Estiarte Gallery (engravings), Madrid.
 
1992
Goya Gallery, Zaragoza.
Saint-Rémy Gallery, Meaux (France).
 
1990
Moulin de Fombeton, Sisteron (France).
 
1989
Office Départemental de la Culture (engravings), Aix-en-Provence. France.
Fauna’s Gallery (engravings), Madrid.
Jaime Gea Gallery, Alicante.
Richard am Bleicherweg Gallery (engravings), Zurich.
 
1988
Fauna’s Gallery, Madrid.
 
1986
Christopher Hull Gallery, London.
 
1985
La Maisonde la Gravure au Marais, Paris.
 
1984
RufinoTamayo Museum(engravings), México.
 
1982
Château des Antiquaires, Allaman (Switzerland).
Kogal Gallery, Bern (Switzerland).
La Lisièr
e Gallery, Reims (France).
 
1980
Sagot – Le Garrec Gallery (engravings), Paris.
Hôtel de Ville, Yverdon (Switzerland).
 
1979
Malherbe Institute, Caen (France).
 
1978
Lorensbergs Konstsalong (engravings), Gothenburg (Sweden).
Sagot – Le Garrec Gallery, Paris.
 
1977
Galax Gallery, Gothenburg (Sweden).
Berggruen Gallery , Paris.
Charles Manchen Gallery (engravings), Luxemburg.
1976
Ditesheim Gallery, Neuchatel (Switzerland).
 
1975
Kända Malare Gallery, Skovde (Sweden).
Skira Gallery, Madrid.
 
1974
Sagot – Le Garrec Gallery (engravings), Paris.
Sapone Gallery, Nice (France).
 
1973
VastergotlandMuseum. Skara (Sweden).
 
1972
Varberg Museum, Sweden.
HalsinglandMuseum, Hudisksvall (Sweden).
 
1971
Ariane gallery (engravings), Gothenburg. Sweden.
Grand Cachot de Vent Foundation, La Brévine, Switzerland. Preface by Denys Chevalier.
Arkitekgarden (engravings), Laholm (Sweden).
 
1970
Uppsala University, Sweden.
Skira Gallery (relief in copper) Madrid.
Ariane Gallery, Gothenburg .(Sweden).
HalsinglandMuseum, Hudiksvall, (Sweden).
Ariane Gallery, Stockholm.
 
1969
Ariane Gallery, Gothenburg. Sweden.
Chapelle des Moulins, Fleurier (Switzerland).
Sala de reuniones de Peñarroya (relief in copper 3 x 8m.), Paris.
 
1968
Contemporary art Museum (engravings) de Madrid.
 
1966
Syra Gallery  (engravings), Barcelona.
Saint Paulde Vence Museum, France.
Numaga Gallery, Auvernier  (Switzerland).
 
1965
Bibliothèque nationale (engravings), Paris.
 
1964
Sagot – Le Garrec Gallery (engravings), Paris.
Syra Gallery, Barcelona. Preface by Juan Ainaud de Lasarte.
Biosca Gallery. Preface by Juan Ainaud de Lasarte.
Merlin Gallery, Athens. Preface de André Verdet.
 
1963
Findley Galleries, Chicago and Palm Beach.
Jeanne Castel Gllery, Paris.
Grand Hôtel, Juan-les-Pins (France).
 
1962
Zygos Gllery, Athens.
 
1961
Renée Ziegler Gallery (engravings), Zurich. Preface by Manuel Gasser.
 
1960
Etats Unis Gallery, Cannes. Preface by Jacques Lassaigne.
 
1959
L’Elysée Gallery, Paris. France. Preface by Douglas Cooper.
 
1958
Nouveaux Grands Magasins Gallery, Lausanne. Preface by Georges Peillex
 
1957
Nicolas Rauch Gallery (engravings), Geneva. Poem by Jacques Prévert.
 
1956
Maurice Bridel i Nane Cailler Gallery (engravings), Lausanne.
Jeanne Castel Gallery, Paris.
Barons Guy de Rothschild’s House, Paris.
65 Gallery, Cannes.
 
1955
Guilde de la Gravure Gallery (engravings), Paris.
 
1954
Jeanne Castel Gallery, Paris.
Del Capitole Gallery, Lausanne. Preface by Raymond Cogniat.
 
1952
Athens(engravings).
Jeanne Castel Gallery, Paris.
 
1951
55 Gallery, Paris.
 
1950
Editions G.L.M (engravings), Paris.
 
1948
PierreGallery, Paris.
 
1946
Breteau Gallery, Paris.
 
1945
Pictoria Gallery, Barcelona.
 
 

Selected bibliography

 
“Javier Vilató”, Spanish Museum of Contemporary engraving, Marbella,1994.
“Javier Vilató en las colecciones europeas”, Telefónica Foundation, Madrid, 1995.
 “Javier Vilató”, Junta de Andalucia-Goya Musée, 1999.
“Vilató escultor”, Telefónica Foundation, Madrid, 2001.
“Vilató, de Barcelona a París”, Vilacasas Foundation, Barcelona, 2005
“Vilató, un camí de llibertat” Barcelona City Council, 2012.

WORKS

En el centenari del naixement de Javier Vilató recordem la seva obra i la seva carrera

EXHIBITIONS IN OUR GALLERY



DOCUMENTATION