Origins and History of the Abelló Museum
The Abelló Museum is a municipal art museum situated in Mollet del Vallès, within the Barcelona province of Spain. Its presence in the region is rooted in the specific intentions of the painter Joan Abelló, who sought to provide the community with access to a vast assembly of works. The institution was established in March 1999, a period that marked the formalization of this cultural resource for the city.
Following its establishment, the museum officially opened its doors to the public on 29 March 1999. Since those early days, the institution has functioned as a significant site for the study and preservation of art, particularly focusing on the Catalan tradition. It has since become an integrated part of the regional cultural landscape, maintaining membership within the Network of Art Museums of Catalonia (XMAC).
The Building and its Architecture
The museum occupies an Art Nouveau-style building dating from 1908. While the original structure has undergone significant changes, the façade remains preserved, maintaining a connection to the architectural character of Mollet del Vallès. The interior spaces offer a sense of the bohemian and scholarly life once lived within these walls, characterized by a dense accumulation of objects and decorative elements.
Within the rooms, painted ceilings draw the eye upward, while the walls and vitrines hold a diverse array of smaller treasures. The collection includes miniatures, porcelain, and stained glass, alongside various pieces of furniture. There is a particular presence of clothing and mannequins that populate the spaces, contributing to the specific atmosphere of the site. Beyond the Catalan focus, the architecture houses collections of Asian art and African art, as well as items related to bullfighting (tauromàquia).
Major Collections and Artworks
The core of the museum is the collection entitled Modern art from the Abelló collection, 19th-20th centuries. This assembly consists of more than 5,000 works of art, primarily centered on the creative output and the personal acquisitions of the artist and collector Joan Abelló. The paintings and objects gathered here offer a perspective on the evolution of Catalan art, spanning from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century.
Beyond the central modern collection, the museum holds diverse pieces that expand its scope. There is a presence of Romanesque and Baroque sculpture, providing a historical weight that contrasts with the more contemporary works. The holdings also include Asian and African art, which sit alongside the European traditions. These objects exist in a quiet dialogue within the halls, representing a wide breadth of human expression.
Specific works within the permanent collection include:
- Nightscape with Two Girls, 1900 - Joan Brull Vinyoles
- Landscape of Santa Perpétua de Mogoda, 1918 - Joaquín Mir Trinxet
- Portrait of girl - Joan Brull Vinyoles
- Girl Vacationing, 1925 - Marià Pidelaserra Brias i Brias
- Totote, 1935 - Manolo Hugué
- Victims of the party, 1894 - Darío De Regoyos
Major Donations and Artistic Legacy
The foundation of this collection rests upon the generosity of Joan Abelló, who donated his private holdings to the city in 1996. This act transferred more than 10,000 works of art to the public, ensuring that a vast assembly of Catalan and international art remains accessible. The sheer scale of this gift provides a continuous dialogue between the 19th and 20th centuries, preserving a specific era of creative expression through the eyes of a dedicated collector.
The breadth of the donated works encompasses a significant range of artistic movements. The collection includes pieces by Ramon Casas, Modest Cuixart, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró. It also holds works by Pablo Picasso, Antoni Tàpies, Isidre Nonell, Darío de Regoyos, Joaquim Mir, and Sorolla. These presences allow for a direct encounter with the evolution of modern art, from the delicate nuances of earlier traditions to the transformative shifts of the avant-garde. One can find Darío de Regoyos's 1894 work, Víctimas de la fiesta, among these holdings, a piece that remains a significant part of the permanent arrangement.
Beyond the works of others, the legacy of the museum is tied to the artist himself. Joan Abelló’s own production is integrated into the collection, creating a space where the creator and the collector are inseparable. This duality ensures that the museum functions as a repository for both the individual vision of one man and the broader history of Catalan art.
