Josep Passos i Valero: A Barcelona Painter Caught in Turbulent Times Josep Passos i Valero (1862 – 1928) emerged from the vibrant artistic landscape of Barcelona, Spain, a city steeped in Catalan identity and facing increasing pressures from central authorities. His formative years were marked by the influence of Simó Gómez, a respected teacher at the Escola de la Llotja, where Passos honed his drawing skills and established a foundation for his lifelong dedication to visual art. This early training instilled in him a meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of artistic pr…