🖌️ Galeries Dalmau – The Avant-Garde Heart of Barcelona (1906–1930)
Josep Dalmau: The Visionary Behind the Gallery
Founded in 1906 by Josep Dalmau i Rafel, Galeries Dalmau quickly became one of the most important avant-garde galleries in Europe.
Breaking Barriers with Cubism and Modernism
In 1912, the gallery hosted Spain’s first group Cubist exhibition, showcasing works that shocked and fascinated audiences. This was a turning point in Spanish art history.
The gallery also exhibited:
-
Picasso in his early career
-
Matisse and other French modernists
-
Salvador Dalà before his international fame
The Cultural Role of Galeries Dalmau
It was not only a commercial gallery, but also a meeting place for intellectuals, poets, and artists. It symbolized Barcelona’s ambition to be at the forefront of cultural innovation.
Closure and Decline
By 1930, Galeries Dalmau could not withstand financial struggles and growing competition from newer institutions. It closed permanently, ending an extraordinary chapter in Barcelona’s art history.
Why Galeries Dalmau Still Matters
Even without a physical presence today, its legacy lives on. Every time a Cubist exhibition is discussed, or Picasso’s early years are studied, Galeries Dalmau appears as a crucial starting point.
