TOMB OF JOSEP TAPIRÓ I BARÓ

In the 19th century, the city of Tangier became a source of inspiration for artists seeking to depict an exotic Oriental world. Most of them merely passed through its streets, and in nearly all cases, their works reflected a superficial image that reproduced the typical clichés of the Orientalist genre. Josep Tapiró (Reus, 1836 – Tangier, 1913), on the other hand, developed a deep commitment to this reality. In 1877, after living in Rome for fifteen years and establishing himself as a watercolourist, he settled in the heart of the Tangier medina, setting up his studio there. From this location, over three decades, he immortalized traditional life, particularly capturing the most picturesque aspects of Tangier's inhabitants. With a virtuosic style that achieved extraordinary realism, he transformed his images into genuine documentary records of a world in decline, faced with the rapid Europeanization of the city.

In the international art market, his works were regarded among the finest of the Orientalist genre, selling for high prices in the most prestigious galleries in London, a city the artist visited almost every year. In his adopted city, he soon became recognized as an illustrious figure, which facilitated his access to models and the sale of works to wealthy Tangier residents and visitors to the medina. His studio became a must-visit location for art enthusiasts arriving in the North African bay, and the street where it was located was renamed Estudio Tapiró in the late 19th century, in recognition of his prestige. Unfortunately, following his death, various circumstances led to his near-oblivion. Now, a century after his passing, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia seeks to reclaim his legacy by showcasing a selection of his finest Tangier watercolours.