In May 1906, the young Aragay published his first joke in the children’s comic En Patufet. In the same year, Eugeni d’Ors started to publish his Glossary in the newspaper La Veu de Catalunya, in which the term “Noucentisme” was coined for the first time. As such, Aragay took his first steps in the country’s artistic scene just as Catalunya was ushering in one of the most important periods of cultural and political renewal in Catalan history.
Earning renown as an illustrator, in 1908, at the weekly satirical magazine Papitu, from the very beginning, Josep Aragay was one of the driving forces behind many of the cultural initiatives and enterprises related to the Noucentist project. As a result, in 1911, Eugeni d’Ors entrusted him with the artistic supervision of L’Almanach dels Noucentistes, while, a year later, he founded the magazine Picarol with Xavier Nogués and Manuel Humbert. In the world of the illustrated press, he also continued to contribute to other satirical magazines, such as Cuca-Fera (1917) and Borinot (1923). He also occasionally collaborated with the magazines Cu-cut! (1906), La Mainada (1933) and Jordi (1928). Aragay used various pseudonyms, including Jacob, Jacob de Martell, Cop de Martell and Últim cop de Martell. He also often signed his work simply with his surname or the initial “A”.
Aragay’s charcoal drawings are also highly valued, which he mostly produced during his years studying at Francesc Galí’s art academy, and which are a clear demonstration of his most Baroque period. The museum in Breda exhibits a curated collection of these illustrations.
NOTABLE ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustrations for the satirical press
The collection of the Josep Aragay Museum conserves some of the illustrations that the artist published in the various satirical magazines of the time, such as Papitu, Picarol, Cuca-Fera and Borinot.
L’explorador (The explorer), 1912
One of Aragay’s favourite themes was horses and cavaliers. This charcoal drawing from 1912 comes from the artist’s Baroque period. An aristocratic-looking rider, wearing a cape and cap, sits arrogantly and egotistically astride a horse decorated with an array of ornaments.
Illustrations for the satirical press.
L’explorador, Josep Aragay, 1912. Charcoal drawing. Josep Aragay Municipal Museum. Breda.
In May 1906, the young Aragay published his first joke in the children’s comic En Patufet. In the same year, Eugeni d’Ors started to publish his Glossary in the newspaper La Veu de Catalunya, in which the term “Noucentisme” was coined for the first time. As such, Aragay took his first steps in the country’s artistic scene just as Catalunya was ushering in one of the most important periods of cultural and political renewal in Catalan history.
Earning renown as an illustrator, in 1908, at the weekly satirical magazine Papitu, from the very beginning, Josep Aragay was one of the driving forces behind many of the cultural initiatives and enterprises related to the Noucentist project. As a result, in 1911, Eugeni d’Ors entrusted him with the artistic supervision of L’Almanach dels Noucentistes, while, a year later, he founded the magazine Picarol with Xavier Nogués and Manuel Humbert. In the world of the illustrated press, he also continued to contribute to other satirical magazines, such as Cuca-Fera (1917) and Borinot (1923). He also occasionally collaborated with the magazines Cu-cut! (1906), La Mainada (1933) and Jordi (1928). Aragay used various pseudonyms, including Jacob, Jacob de Martell, Cop de Martell and Últim cop de Martell. He also often signed his work simply with his surname or the initial “A”.
Aragay’s charcoal drawings are also highly valued, which he mostly produced during his years studying at Francesc Galí’s art academy, and which are a clear demonstration of his most Baroque period. The museum in Breda exhibits a curated collection of these illustrations.
NOTABLE ILLUSTRATIONS
Illustrations for the satirical press
The collection of the Josep Aragay Museum conserves some of the illustrations that the artist published in the various satirical magazines of the time, such as Papitu, Picarol, Cuca-Fera and Borinot.
Illustrations for the satirical press.
L’explorador (The explorer), 1912
One of Aragay’s favourite themes was horses and cavaliers. This charcoal drawing from 1912 comes from the artist’s Baroque period. An aristocratic-looking rider, wearing a cape and cap, sits arrogantly and egotistically astride a horse decorated with an array of ornaments.
L’explorador, Josep Aragay, 1912. Charcoal drawing. Josep Aragay Municipal Museum. Breda.
