
Renowned worldwide from the end of the 1950s for his substantial paintings, often in monochrome, Tàpies (1923–2012) was incorrectly seen at the beginning of his career as a purely abstract painter. In fact, he never ceased toobserve reality and attempt to render it in an unfettered way.
While American Pop Art celebrated gleaming publicity items, Tàpies preferred humble, used objects, and was thus a precursor of the Arte Povera movement. Whether it was representative or directly taken from reality, for Tàpies the object was most often simply shown for its shape, without metaphor or message. And it is from this sometimes brutal simplicity that he drew his plastic strength.
His work has been exhibited in the world’s leading museums: the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York (1962), the Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris (1973), the Nationalgalerie in Berlin (1974), the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid (1990), the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati (2010), the Palazzo Fortuny in Venise (2013) and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (2013). He also took part in four Venice Biennal exhibitions, notably in 1993, the year he represented Spain and won the Golden Lion.
In addition to a number of exhibition catalogues, Galerie Lelong has published two volumes of writings by Antoni Tàpies, La réalité comme art and L’art et ses lieux.
Antoni Tàpies was born in 1923 in Barcelona, Spain. Died in Barcelona in February 2012.



A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.
Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.
Learn more about Ocula Magazine
Showcasing the best of the art world.
Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.
Learn more about Ocula Membership
Specialises in the sale of major artworks.
Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.
Learn more about our team and services