Artwork
The Bell for Prayer
The Bell for Prayer is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Modest Urgell. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1888 by Barcelona‑born painter Modest Urgell, *The Bell for Prayer* is an oil on canvas that captures a tranquil rural tableau. The work resides in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it forms part of the museum’s collection of late 19th‑century Catalan art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a modest stone chapel perched on a gentle rise, its cross‑topped bell tower rising above a surrounding meadow and scattered trees. The sparse architecture and open sky suggest a place of quiet devotion, inviting contemplation through its understated presence in the landscape.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil during the post‑impressionist era, Urgell employs a restrained palette of browns, muted greens and soft grays. Light falls on the chapel’s stone walls, rendering subtle texture and depth, while the atmospheric handling of sky and foliage conveys a calm, almost lyrical mood.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in Catalonia, eventually entering the holdings of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s focus on preserving works by regional artists who contributed to the development of modern Catalan painting.
Context
Urgell, also known by the nickname Katúfol, was active as both a landscape painter and a playwright. *The Bell for Prayer* exemplifies his interest in rural scenes, aligning with broader 19th‑century trends that favored naturalistic depictions of everyday life and spiritual modesty in the Catalan countryside.
Artist & collection
Artist
Modest Urgell i Inglada, also known by the nickname Katúfol (13 June 1839, Barcelona - 3 April 1919, Barcelona) was a Spanish landscape painter and comic playwright. He used his nickname for cartoons and illustrations.
