DECORATED AND ARTISTIC CERAMICS

Decorated ceramic ware is, to a certain extent, the direct inheritor of earthenware in that it became the only viable alternative to the difficult situation in which the trade was submerged throughout the entire 20th century. In addition, despite its indebtedness to clay pottery, it used the same techniques and processes with goals that were quite different. The consistency and subdued qualities which characterized pre-industrial pottery was replaced by the flashiness and, at times, by the disproportionate nature of decorated ceramic shapes.

The artistic use of ceramics arose in late 19th century hand in hand with the Art Nouveau, and reached full development in the first few decades of the 20th century.  Joan Bagué, Emili Casas, Manel Ferran, Marià Burgués, Sala I Deulofeu and Sebastià Padrós worked – some exclusively- on their figures, pots, jugs, etc. to fuel a growing market with hitherto unknown pieces. With the Noucentisme movement in full bloom, Joan Coromina reproduced the ceramic work of the Roman period in Empúries.

The seemingly restless movement which arose under the shelter of ceramics was abruptly cut off by the Spanish Civil War. It wasn’t until the end of the 1940s the painter Eusebi Diaz-Costa gave a new impulse to decorative pottery. His dishes with coiled fish or puffed-out rooster motifs were acclaimed by locals and outsiders alike. Josep Pla I Capell also made pottery, sculptures from time, some of which achieved great success, especially those depicting shepherds, peasants and fishermen from the region. Another noteworthy figure in decorative pottery was Josep Vilà-Clara, who to a certain degree and many aspects continued the stylistic lines of the Noucentisme movement.