Cubism in Spain: Picasso, Julio González, and Spanish Exhibitions (1909–1925)

  1. Picasso paints proto-Cubist Horta de Sant Joan works

    Labels: Pablo Picasso, Horta de

    In the summer of 1909, Picasso worked in Horta de Sant Joan (Catalonia), producing landscape paintings that simplified forms into geometric structures—an important step toward Cubism’s mature vocabulary.

  2. Picasso completes “Brick Factory at Tortosa”

    Labels: Pablo Picasso, Brick Factory

    Picasso’s Brick Factory at Tortosa (also associated with Horta de Ebro/Horta de Sant Joan) dates to 1909 and exemplifies the move toward geometric, proto-Cubist landscape construction that fed into Cubism’s development.

  3. Picasso develops Analytical Cubism with “Ma Jolie”

    Labels: Pablo Picasso, Ma Jolie

    Picasso’s Ma Jolie (1911–1912) is a hallmark of Analytical Cubism, pushing form toward near-abstraction while retaining references (text and implied objects) that invite “reading” the image.

  4. Picasso shows at Galeries Dalmau in Barcelona

    Labels: Pablo Picasso, Galeries Dalmau

    In February–March 1912, Galeries Dalmau in Barcelona presented an exhibition of Picasso’s drawings (notably from his Blue Period), underscoring the gallery’s role as a conduit for avant-garde art in Spain during Cubism’s rise.

  5. Barcelona hosts Spain’s landmark Cubist group exhibition

    Labels: Galeries J, Exposici d

    The Exposició d’Art Cubista ran from 1912-04-20 to 1912-05-10 at Galeries J. Dalmau (Carrer de Portaferrissa, 18). It is widely cited as the first dedicated Cubist group exhibition in Spain and a pivotal early public encounter with Cubism in Barcelona.

  6. Press controversy centers on works in Dalmau’s Cubist show

    Labels: Jean Metzinger, Galeries Dalmau

    Works exhibited at the 1912 Barcelona Cubist show—including Jean Metzinger’s Nature morte (listed in the Dalmau exhibition context)—became flashpoints in critical debates, illustrating how Cubism’s reception in Spain was shaped by both fascination and hostility.

  7. Picasso makes “Still Life with Chair Caning”

    Labels: Pablo Picasso, Still Life

    In May 1912, Picasso created Still Life with Chair Caning, often described as the first Cubist collage, introducing manufactured material (printed oilcloth) and rope edging to collapse boundaries between representation and real-world objects.

  8. Picasso returns for an extended stay in Barcelona

    Labels: Pablo Picasso, Barcelona

    From June to November 1917, Picasso spent an extended period in Barcelona, producing works that alternated Cubist approaches with more classicizing figure styles—evidence of Cubism’s continuing (but evolving) presence in his Spanish-connected practice.

  9. Ballets Russes performs “Parade” in Barcelona

    Labels: Ballets Russes, Parade

    After earlier controversies, the Ballets Russes staged Picasso-connected “Parade” in Barcelona on 1917-11-10 (Liceu). The performance linked Spanish audiences to Picasso’s Cubist stage experimentation and the broader modernist network circulating through Spain during World War I.

  10. Julio González renews ties with Picasso

    Labels: Julio Gonz, Pablo Picasso

    Around 1920, Julio González renewed his acquaintance with Picasso, setting the groundwork for later technical collaboration in metal sculpture that would become central to both artists’ innovations (especially in welded iron).

  11. Exposición de Artistas Ibéricos opens in Madrid

    Labels: Exposici n, Palacio de

    The Exposición de Artistas Ibéricos opened on 1925-05-28 at the Palacio de Exposiciones (El Retiro), Madrid, publicly presenting a modernizing artistic platform in Spain that could include Cubist and avant-garde tendencies and reshape national exhibition culture.

  12. González teaches Picasso oxy-fuel welding techniques

    Labels: Julio Gonz, oxy-fuel welding

    In winter 1927–1928, González showed Picasso how to use oxy-fuel welding and cutting, enabling Picasso’s move into welded iron constructions and accelerating González’s own sculptural turn toward linear, spatial “drawing in space.”

  13. Picasso–González welded-iron collaboration begins

    Labels: Pablo Picasso, Julio Gonz

    From 1928, Picasso sought González’s technical assistance for iron sculpture projects (including proposals connected to a monument for Guillaume Apollinaire). This collaboration (often dated 1928–1932) became a key bridge between Cubist thinking and modern welded-metal sculpture.

  14. Picasso and González work on “Woman in the Garden”

    Labels: Woman in, Julio Gonz

    Between 1928 and 1930, Picasso and González collaborated on Woman in the Garden, a major welded-iron work that helped establish welded metal as a serious modern sculptural language and underscored González’s importance as both technician and creative peer.

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Last Updated:Jan 1, 1980

Cubism in Spain: Picasso, Julio González, and Spanish Exhibitions (1909–1925)