Artwork
Purity
Purity is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Antonio Fabrés. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1925, *Purity* is an oil painting by Catalan artist Antonio Fabrés. The work presents a veiled female figure surrounded by white blossoms against a deep blue backdrop, conveying a tranquil atmosphere. It is part of the permanent collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and exemplifies Fabrés’s engagement with allegorical themes during the early twentieth century.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman whose face is uncovered while a flowing white veil drapes her form, evoking notions of innocence and spiritual cleanliness. The scattering of white flowers at her feet reinforces the idea of unblemished purity, while the serene blue background suggests an ethereal, contemplative space beyond the material world.
Technique & Style
Fabrés employs a restrained palette, juxtaposing the luminous whites of veil and flowers with a saturated blue field to achieve visual balance. The handling of light creates subtle gradations that model the figure without harsh contrasts, reflecting Symbolist preferences for mood over realism. The brushwork remains smooth, allowing the veil’s fabric to appear fluid and the blossoms delicate.
History & Provenance
Antonio Fabrés, known for Orientalist and historic subjects, painted *Purity* during a period when Symbolist allegory was prevalent in Catalan art. After its completion, the canvas entered the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it remains on display, representing the artist’s later oeuvre and his exploration of idealized, non‑narrative imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antoni Maria Fabrés i Costa (Spanish: Antonio Maria Fabrés y Costa; 1854–1938), also known as Antoni Fabrés, was a Catalan sculptor and painter known especially for his depictions of Orientalist and period subjects.
