J. Sagarra marquetry workshop in Barcelona (1833-2003). The history of a family of artisans

Abstract

This article presents the professional and vital journey of a Barcelona family lineage: J. Sagarra’s workshop, that started its activity in 1833 and  survived in the “El Raval” neighborhood over 170 years, 130 of which dedicated to craftsman’s marquetry, until it’s final closure in year 2003. The interest in this family workshop and its evolution and relationship with art and industry lies in de long period of dedication ti this craft and also to the fact that it’s evolution may serve as paradigm to other crafts that, like marquetry, have lost presence or have even disappeared. The analysis is based on doc umentation on this workshop collected from de Barcelona Resellers Shopkeepers Guild, the Saint Michael Archangel’s Brotherhood and de graphic documentation preserved by J. Sagarra.