“Owl ” Plate by Jean Lurçat

Charming ceramic plate decorated with an owl after a drawing by Jean Lurçat, signed and numbered 19/100.

​​​​​​​In 1950, Jean Lurçat and Firmin Bauby met, the attraction of ceramics combined with that of Catalonia founded the relationship between the two men. For nearly 15 years, he will be, every spring and autumn, in residence in the Sant Vicens farmhouse to recharge his batteries in this land which inspires him while developing his work as a ceramist. Alongside workshop leader Gumersind Gomila, he will experience a freedom that is forbidden to him with tapestry. His pieces, often two-tone, present as an essential motif his imaginary bestiary or his vision of a humanized nature. Lurçat will use ceramics as a real space for experimentation, allowing him to test new patterns and new colored combinations to then transpose them into his work as an upholsterer. In Sant Vicens, the workshop leader will be the poet and ceramist Gumersind Gomila. From 1952 to 1965, the latter assisted Lurçat in the production of his ceramics and supervised their print runs, varying depending on the model, from 25 to 100 pieces. The work carried out by Lurçat in Sant Vicens will constitute an entire part of his career, his ceramic creations representing almost 10% of his entire work.