Tàpies Museum Barcelona

Antoni Tàpies Foundation Museum Barcelona

The Antoni Tàpies Foundation was created in 1984 by the artist himself, with the aim of promoting the study and dissemination of modern and contemporary art. Tàpies, born in Barcelona in 1923, is one of the leading figures of 20th-century abstract art. The Foundation's headquarters is a work of art in itself. It is housed in a former Modernist building designed in 1884 by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, an architect emblematic of the Catalan Modernist period. The building was originally the headquarters of the publisher Montaner i Simón. In 1990, the structure was restored to house the Foundation, while retaining distinctive Modernist features such as its large windows and wrought-iron details. What immediately strikes the visitor is the imposing wire sculptural installation on the roof, entitled “Núvol i cadira” (Cloud and Chair), a monumental work by Tàpies that seems to float above the building, lending a surreal tone to the whole.

What to see at the Tàpies Museum in Barcelona

Visitors can discover a permanent collection featuring a wide range of works by Antoni Tàpies, spanning several periods of his career. His works, known for their marked textures and bold use of unconventional materials, reflect a unique artistic sensibility. Among the works on display are paintings, sculptures and prints that embody the recurring themes in Tàpies' art: matter, spirituality, memory and the social dimension.
The Museum also offers temporary exhibitions, highlighting international contemporary artists, often in connection with Tàpies' work or avant-garde movements. These exhibitions contextualize Tàpies' art within the global art scene, while offering visitors a broader perspective on modern and contemporary art.

Gallery 

Who was Antoni Tàpies?

Antoni Tàpies was a Catalan painter, sculptor and art theorist, born in Barcelona on December 12, 1923, and died in Barcelona on February 6, 2012, aged 88. Recognized as one of the most influential Spanish artists of the 20th century, he is particularly renowned for his abstract style, his fascination with matter and his innovative approach, which had a profound impact on modern art.

Beginnings and influences

Tàpies grew up in a Spain marked by civil war and Franco's dictatorship, which influenced his work, often charged with political and social significance. Initially self-taught, he became interested in Surrealist art, influenced by artists such as Paul Klee and Joan Miró. His early works reflected an interest in the unconscious and mysticism.
However, it was in the 1950s that he moved away from surrealism to develop his own artistic language, incorporating mixed techniques and raw materials such as dust, sand and fragments of everyday objects. This innovative approach was part of the Informal Art movement, a European trend close to American Abstract Expressionism.

The art of materials

Antoni Tàpies is best known for what is known as “material art”, an approach in which the materials themselves become the subject of the work. He experimented with thick, irregular textures, scratching or scraping his canvases to create a tactile dimension. In his work, he often integrated everyday objects (clothes, string, nails), transforming raw material into a work of art charged with symbolism.
This approach reflected a broader philosophical reflection on materiality and the human condition. For Tàpies, art was a means of transcending appearances to reach a deeper spirituality, a notion influenced by Eastern philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism.

Recurring symbols in Tàpies' work

Tàpies' works are filled with frequently recurring symbols, such as crosses, letters or numbers, often inscribed directly into the texture of the paint. The cross, for example, can evoke a variety of concepts: spirituality, suffering, or simply the materiality of the support. He also often used the figure of the human body, or parts of it, to symbolize the fragility and temporality of the human condition.

Antoni Tàpies' political commitment

Tàpies also used his art as a means of political expression, especially during the Franco dictatorship. His work denounced political repression and violence. After Franco's death, he became a respected figure on the Spanish cultural scene, using his influence to promote Catalan culture and democracy.

Practical information

Tàpies Museum Barcelona opening hours

The opening hours of the Tàpies Museum in Barcelona vary according to the season and public holidays, in order to welcome visitors all year round.
Regular opening hours:Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Closed: Mondays and public holidays
Public holidays: The Foundation is closed on the following days: January 1, January 6, December 25.

What is the address of the Tàpies Museum in Barcelona? 

Address:Carrer d'Aragó, 255, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Area: The Tàpies Museum is located in the Eixample district, known for its magnificent Modernist buildings. It is close to the emblematic Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona's most touristic avenues, where masterpieces such as the Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera) two works by Gaudí.

Email : info@ftapies.com
Official website : Museu Tàpies
Phone : +34934870315

How to get to the Tàpies Museum

The Tàpies Museum is located in the heart of Barcelona, in the Eixample district, so you have plenty of transport options to get there easily:

Metro : The nearest station is Passeig de Gràcia (lines L2, L3, L4), just a few minutes' walk from the foundation. Universitat station (lines L1, L2) is also within walking distance.

Bus: The following bus routes serve the area around the Foundation: 7, 22, 24, 39, 47, 63, 67, B24, H10, V15 & V17.

Hop-on Hop-off Barcelona : The Antoni Tàpies Foundation is also a recommended stop on Barcelona's Bus Turístic routes. The Casa Batlló stop on the red and blue lines takes you just a few steps from the foundation-museum.

On foot: If you're already in the city center, walking is a pleasant option. From Plaça de Catalunya, you can reach the Antoni Tàpies Foundation in about 10 minutes' walk along Passeig de Gràcia.

Where is the Tàpies Museum?