The Manufacture of Leather as an Applied Art in the Modernisme: the Factory-Workshop of Miguel Fargas y Vilaseca

Abstract

This study intends to examine leather craft, an applied art that has not well studied in the context of Catalan Modernisme as well as raise awareness about its use for production and design of Modernista furniture and interior decoration. This handicraft, that had been in decline in the Catalan sphere since the 18th century, reappeared in Barcelona in the last quarter of the 19th century, due to the Modernista movement and the renaissance of medieval crafts. Thus, new workshops were created and their processes were modernized according to industrial progress.

We will highlight the Miguel Fargas and Vilaseca Factory, which will manage to industrialize this handricraft, becoming one of the few internationally known manufacturers. We will try to illustrate the history of this office by analyzing this case study, since it reveals an interesting part of the panorama of decorative arts in Modernista Barcelona.