C0097

Ceramic frieze at the Celler Cooperatiu del Pinell de Brai. Section of the frieze on the theme of olive oil – 1

Ref Num.: C0097

Date: 1920-1921

Typology: Ceramics

Technique: Painted ceramics

Dimensions: –

Signed: No dated and signed

Terra Alta, Pinell de Brai

From 1920 to 1921 Xavier Nogués worked on the decorations for the façade of the cooperative winery and olive press, the Celler i Cooperativa Agrícola de Pinell de Brai (Terra Alta, Tarragona), consisting of different ceramic panels and friezes on wine-related themes and about olive oil production. The building had been planned and designed by the architect Cèsar Martinell and became known as the “cathedral of wine”. Olive oil is the central motif in the section of the frieze above the door leading into the wine press and is shown as a source of food and energy for people.

There are two rectangular panels on the corners of the first section of the frieze, featuring oil cruets as a motif. The main section of this frieze shows the oil-making process. On the left, we see a figure carrying sacks and on the right some people pressing olives in a press under the boss’s watchful eye.

Image rights: Dani Rovira. With kind permission of the Cooperativa del Celler Pinell de Brai.

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Rafael Benet, Xavier Nogués. Caricaturista y pintor, Ediciones Omega, Barcelona, 1949, cat. Porcelana, ceràmica, p. 93 and p. 14. J. Barbeta, A. Casanovas, M. Gil and C. Vidal, Exposición Xavier Nogués, Barcelona 1873-1941, Palacio de la Virreina, March-April 1967, Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, Museos de Arte, Barcelona, 1967, cat. no. 548, p. 59 and cat. no. 1269, p. 97. Cèsar Martinell, Destino, no. 1272, 23rd December 1961. Cecília Vidal Maynou (dir.), Xavier Nogués (1873-1941), Alfa Books, Fundació Xavier Nogués, Barcelona, 2021, pp. 193-197.