1922 — 1998
Francesc Català-Roca is arguably the foremost Catalonian photographer of the twentieth century. Through his images, Català-Roca pioneered an avant-garde form of social documentary, opening his first studio at the age of twenty-five and shooting street photography for numerous publications including La Vanguardia. He worked alongside artists such as Joan Miró, the celebrated painter and sculptor, to document the evolution of art and life in Catalonia, and played heavily with shadows and framing.
With Spain as a whole caught in between the Franco regime and a period of cultural and economic change, Català-Roca's work zoned in on moments of humanity and great beauty in the everyday. Since his death in Barcelona, in 1998, Català-Roca has been widely exhibited both at home and internationally.