Josep Maria Vayreda Canadell

Sant James park London oil on canvas painting urbanscape

c.1990

Joaquim Vayreda was born in Girona, Spain. His family was originally from Olot but had to move to Girona when their home was destroyed during the First Carlist War. A year after his birth, his parents returned to Olot and attempted to reestablish themselves. His father was fond of drawing and when he saw that his son had artistic talent, set him to work copying drawings. Vayreda’s first art lessons came when he was only nine, at the drawing school in Olot, operated by Narcís Pascual i Sala (1805–1869). In 1860, he went to Barcelona to study philosophy but spent his spare time learning to paint with Ramon Martí Alsina, who introduced him to landscape painting en plein air. Vayreda had his first showing in 1865. The following year, he started to exhibit regularly at the Sala Parés and began to attract customers from the bourgeoisie. He had to live in France briefly, following the Revolution of 1868. There, he became acquainted with the Barbizon school of landscape painting and met Josep Berga i Boix, who would later be his partner in several enterprises. Upon his return, he and his brother Marian would begin to establish what became known as the Olot school. In 1872, Vayreda was appointed Deputy-Mayor of Olot but resigned after only three months due to the outbreak of the Third Carlist War. He went into self-exile in France and remained there until 1877. Three years later, he joined with Josep Berga i Boix and others to create a special workshop for religious images called Els Sants d'Olot. Vayreda also regained his position with the city; serving from 1881–83. From 1891 until his death, he was a Provincial Deputy to the assembly in Manresa and participated in writing the Catalan Regional Constitution. He also contributed political opinion pieces to local periodicals. Vayreda died in Olot, aged 51.