Adolf Fargnoli. From Noucentisme to the avant-garde

This exhibition at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) takes us into the fascinating world of Adolf Fargnoli, an Italian artist who had an important impact on the heart of Noucentisme in Girona. Discovered by architect Rafael Masó, Fargnoli emerged as a virtuoso of wood carving, particularly standing out for his magnificent chests with metal details and silk linings, each with a poetic name that characterised them.

With 50 exhibitions in Spain and abroad between 1918 and 1933, Fargnoli became a legend of Noucentisme in Girona, acclaimed by critics, artists and intellectuals alike. Nevertheless, 1932 was a turning point in his career when he became fascinated with Hollywood aesthetics. Based in Barcelona, he developed his creations for “D’Annali”, a line of jewellery for women that, unfortunately, never came to fruition.

In 1933, an emotional crisis and his bohemian nature drove him into a deep depression. Despite his personal literary output, the war and the post-war period led to a creative decline, from which he only recovered briefly around 1945. Fargnoli died quietly in 1951.

The MNAC presents this extended version of the exhibition that is on display in Girona from 30 December 2023 to 20 April 2024. This project includes a catalogue published jointly by the two institutions and Úrsula Llibres, giving visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the rich history of this multifaceted artist.