Finally, La Pedrera brings us an exhibit we can really sink our teeth into. Aristide Maillol (1861-1944) was a scupltor, painter and visionary. Unlike a lot of those confrontational artsy types of the twentieth century, Maillol was a man who knew what his audience liked and gave them lots of it.

Originally from Rousillon (French Catalonia), Maillol moved to Paris in 1881 and became friends with art badboy Paul Gauguin. While Gaugin passed his time painting nubile Tahitian girls, he encouraged Maillol to take up the gentler art form of tapestry.

Soon Maillol realized that while tapestry earned him praise for reviving a dying form in France, it was not as artistically satisfying as, for example, making sculptures of naked ladies, which has never been a dying form in France. With the excuse that tapestry was straining his eyesight, Maillol began shaping the portly bottoms which now make up the hefty base of his mature work.

La Pedrera offers a choice selection of his sculptures, paintings and drawings from now until January 31st. Entrance is free, so bring a date.

Aristide Maillol. From October 20, 2009 to January 31, 2010. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
La Pedrera. Passeig de Gràcia 92, 08008. Barcelona. 902 400 973

More information can be found at the Fundació Caixa Catalunya website.