The Light of Olot
October 28th, 1883, marks the beginning of a life shaped by the landscapes of Catalonia. Born in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Iu Pascual Rodés moves through a childhood defined by the scenery of Cornudella de Montsant and Mas de les Moreres. These early vistas provide the foundation for a painter who would eventually find his true purpose in the atmosphere of Olot.
At seventeen, the path shifts toward Barcelona. The city offers formal training at the Academia Baixas and the Barcelona School of Architecture. However, the rigid lines of architecture fail to hold his interest. He abandons his architectural studies to pursue the fluid nature of painting. He enters the Artistic Circle of Sant Lluc and finds himself working within the workshop of Gaudí. This period of intense exposure to diverse artistic disciplines prepares him for a deeper immersion into the natural world.
The Olot School and the Summer Shift
A pivotal moment arrives in the spring of 1910 at the exhibition Les Arts i els Artistes. Following this success, Iu Pascual Rodés moves toward Olot, drawn by the landscape alongside peers like Ignasi Mallol and Francesc Vayreda. The summer of 1910 becomes a period of intense focus. He finds in the Olot landscape a connection to the works of Corot. This affinity for the light and texture of the region defines his professional trajectory.
The artist’s relationship with Olot deepens through both work and personal life. After marrying Maria Bassols y Bassols, he settles permanently in the area. His technical mastery leads to a significant appointment in 1914 as the director of the Olot School of Fine Arts. This role places him at the center of the Catalan painting scene during the period from 1915 through the end of the 1920s, which remains the most productive era of his career.
Technique and Legacy
His work is characterized by the Spanish Impressionist and Modernist traditions. He focuses heavily on the landscape genre, utilizing oil on canvas to capture specific atmospheric conditions. His paintings often reflect the quietude of the Catalan countryside, such as:
- El Mercat Olot: A study of local life and light.
- Dia gris després dels ayguats: An exploration of the heavy, damp atmosphere following rain.
The artist’s presence in the Catalan art world is marked by his participation in key exhibitions like Sala Parés in 1911. He leaves behind a body of work that remains rooted in the specific geography of his home, from the streets of Olot to the hills of his youth.
