Paisatges. Molleres de Meritxell. Francesc Galobardes

Landscapes. Molleres de Meritxell. Galobardes

The peaceful winter landscape of hills and meadows carpeted in snow while smoke rises from farmhouse chimneys seems warm and welcoming in the work of the painter Francesc Galobardes, as you can see in the motif of the Landscapes series this year.

The painting shows the small village of Molleres, next to Meritxell. Until the late 18th century this hamlet consisted of around 30 people living in eight houses, and written sources indicate it may date back to the 12th century. In 1176 an agreement reached between 380 heads of Andorran families and the canons of Seu D’Urgell Cathedral mentions one Mir Guillem of Molleres. Although no older documents exist, it seems likely that this place was inhabited from the 9th century onwards by a small community: the people of Meritxell and Molleres, united by the church of Santa María and its cemetery.

Born in Riudaura (Girona) and based in Andorra since the early 1960s, Francesc Galobardes is the definitive painter of the Andorran landscape, working mainly outdoors in oil paint applied with a knife throughout his career. He is fond of painting winter landscapes, skilfully reproducing the many tones, textures and shades of snow.

He is a prolific creator of over 4,000 works, many of which have been shown in galleries all over the world, and is especially appreciated in Andorra, where many homes have a Galobardes in pride of place in their living rooms.

He has painted landscapes since childhood, refining his technique at the art school in Olot.

Although most of his work is in oils, he also experiments with pen and ink, producing sketches of Andorra’s many churches and chapels.