1923 — Born on September 18, 1923, in Horta (Barcelona). The youngest of six brothers, the Catalan environment in which he grew up influenced his education. His father, a journalist and later a teacher and translator, was friends with Jordi Rubio' i Balaguer, Josep Camer, Emili Vallès, Joan G. Junceda, and many other intellectuals of the time. His uncle, Nolasc Valls, was a painter, but it was Father Manuel Trens, director of the Diocesan Museum of Barcelona, who first instilled in him a keen interest in art.

1936 — Charles Collet, a Swiss sculptor who had lived in Barcelona since 1923, moved to Horta. He gave Valls his first drawing lessons and became Valls's true mentor.

1937-1938 — Despite the Civil War, and to gain better technical training, he enrolled in the preparatory course at the École Massana (School of Arts and Crafts).

1939-1940 — For two years, he studied stained glass and mural painting (fresco) techniques with Jaume Busquets.

1941-1942 — Works as a draftsman for the jeweler Ramon Sunyer, one of the most famous goldsmiths of the “Noucentisme” movement. Attends drawing classes at the Artistic Circle and becomes a member of the Decorative Arts Circle. In the following years, the architects Luis Bonet Gari, Isidre Puig Boada and Francesc Folguera i Grassi, as well as the decorator Santiago Marco, offer him the opportunity to collaborate with them. At the same time, he paints in his studio in Horta, frequented by many painters, poets and musicians, and, through Charles Collet, meets artists of previous generations, such as Manolo Hugué, Llorens Artigas, Joaquim Sunyer. Until 1949, he learns music theory and piano with his childhood friend Ricard Matas, with Carme Ribas as his teacher.

1946 — The cultural activity developed by the French Institute of Barcelona in the immediate post-war period, whose director was the geographer and designer Pierre Deffontaines, and one of its professors the historian Pierre Vilar, was very important for these young artists who, like Valls, wanted to escape the isolation caused by the political situation. In these difficult years for Catalan culture, the French Institute was one of the only links through which Catalan artists were in contact with Europe. Valls frequented the Institute's library and there found the literary works of the moment. He was, along with Suzanne Alemany, Charles Collet, Alfred Figueras, and Bernard Sanjuan, one of the founders of the Cercle Mayol, an artistic activity circle created within the French Institute. The members of this Circle organized exhibitions of their works or tributes to other already established artists. Within this same French Institute, various musicians created the Cercle Manuel de Falla. First Medal of the 5th Salon de Otoño in Palma de Mallorca.

1948 — In the summer, Xavier Valls traveled to Switzerland to visit Ninon and Charles Collet.

1949 — Through the French Institute in Barcelona, he received a one-month scholarship from the French government to travel to Paris. He decided to remain in France, living first at the Collège d'Espagne at the Cité Universitaire in Paris, then, north of Paris, in Écouen. There, he painted still lifes and landscapes such as La Rue d'Écouen, which he presented at the Salon d'Automne in Paris in 1953 and at the solo exhibition in Barcelona that same year.

He worked for four years at the master glassmaker Barrillet, rue de Vaugirard, where he collaborated with Fernand Léger on the creation of the stained glass windows in Audincourt.

1950 — Xavier Valls attended Professor Marcel Aubert's archaeology classes at the École des Chartes as an auditor. He settled on rue Campagne-Première where many artists had their studios, and frequented the cafés of Montparnasse where the locals met in the evening: Oscar Dominguez, Alberto Giacometti, Antoni Clavé, Massimo Campigli, Pedro Flores, Jean Pougny, Apel.les Fenosa, Joaqiun Peinado, Orlando Pelayo, Hernando Viñes, and the sculptors Condoy and Baltasar Lobo. But Valls was much more attracted by the nightlife of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. At the Café Mabillon, intellectuals and artists met every night around the poet Rafael Lasso de la Vega: Guillermo de Torres, Maria Zambrano, Tristan Tzara, André Salmon, Christian Zervos, Arturo Despouey, Antonio Quirós, Jordi Mercadé, Colmeiro and Jaime del Valle-Inclan, with whom he established a deep friendship. Alberto Giacometti and the painter Luis Fernández then encouraged him to pursue his own figurative style.

1951 — He moved into an apartment in an old house on the Quai de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, which permanently became his home and studio. While participating in the group exhibition at the Collège d'Espagne at the Cité Universitaire, he met Julian Gallego and established a deep and enriching friendship with the future prestigious art critic. He exhibited with Ninon and Charles Collet at the Galeria Syra in Barcelona. During the 1950s, Valls frequented the house of Maurici Torra Balari, where he met Jean Genet, Henry de Montherlant, the musician Jacques Février, the painters Fin, Vilató, Grau Sala, Clavé, Francesc Salès, and the writer Margherita Sarfatti. He also visits Magali and Pierrette Gargallo, a meeting point for Catalan artists and French personalities such as the actor Gaston Modot and the poet Pierre Reverdy.

1952 — He collaborated with two artists on the Barcelona literary magazine “Laye,” whose promoters were Gabriel Ferrater and José Maria de Martin. He met the painter Luis Marsans, who would become one of his best friends. He painted the painting Fabriques à Clignancourt, which won the Prize at the Collège d'Espagne Exhibition at the Cité Universitaire. This work and a still life were presented at the 5th Salon d'Octobre in Barcelona. In Paris, he formed close friendships with musicologist Daniel Devoto and writers Julio Cortazar, Carlo Coccioli, Abelardo Arias, and Ramon Xuriguera.

1953 — He participated in the Salon des Indépendants in Paris and the 6th Salon d'Octobre in Barcelona. His first solo exhibition was held at the Sala Vayreda in Barcelona. Xavier Valls presented twenty-one paintings in a style that characterized the first stage of his career. Contrasting colors and geometric shapes with clear links to Cubism are already discernible. Elements that would be present throughout his work can already be discerned: an increasingly pronounced intimacy, the use of themes drawn from his daily life: objects and windows from his studio and the banks of the Seine.

1954 — Two of his paintings were included in the 7th October Salon in Barcelona, and he submitted a canvas to the 2nd Hispano-American Biennial in Havana.

1955 — He participated in the Jeunes peintres espagnols exhibition at the College of Spain in the Cité Universitaire, where he won First Prize. One of his works featured in the 3rd Hispano-American Biennial in Barcelona received the Best Still Life Award. He created one of the engravings in the book Douze paysages urbains (Editions Rosa Vera), his etching being accompanied by a text by the poet Marià Manent. Jordi Benet Aurell wrote his first essay on Xavier Valls's painting for the book Exponente de pintura moderna. In the summer, he stayed in Santillana del Mar with the Gili couple, Frédéric Mompou, and Emili and Maria Bofill.

1956 — Second solo exhibition at the Sala Vayreda in Barcelona. During a trip to Italy, he met Luisangela Galfetti, to whom he would later become engaged. On his return, he stopped in Cannes, where his Gili friends introduced him to Pablo Picasso.

1957 — Participated in the Salon des Indépendants and the Salon de la Jeune Peinture in Paris.

1958 — Marries Luisangela Galfetti, who becomes a key figure in the painter's life and work. Luisa, and later her children, will be the artist's only models, but the bulk of his work remains devoted to still lifes and landscapes. These are clearly different from the previous phase in their stripped-down composition, influenced by the abstraction of the time. The Catalan poet and diplomat Jaume Agelet Garriga commissions the drawings that Valls creates in Indian ink to illustrate the work Fauna i Flora, published the following year by Agelet.

1959 — Participates with a work in the 3rd Salon de Mayo in Barcelona. Another solo exhibition at the Sala Vayreda in Barcelona, where Julian Gallego writes in the preface to the catalogue, “...when this artist paints, he has gazed so long and so lovingly at his model that he forgets his daily existence to become what he paints...” This exhibition would be the last Valls exhibition in his hometown for 26 years. The artist had not lost touch with Barcelona, however.

1960 — These years would be particularly memorable for the painter. Valls, still encouraged by his friends in Paris, nevertheless found himself alone in the face of two divergent trends: realism and abstraction. This divergence was even more evident in the Barcelona art world, and perhaps this is why Valls's work, which corresponded to neither of these trends, took so long to return to his hometown. He traveled to Germany, Austria, and Belgium with Jordi Anguera and Pierrette Gargallo. He held a solo exhibition at the Galleria Cittadella in Ascona, one of the most interesting galleries in Italian-speaking Switzerland, which regularly exhibited abstract painters such as Reichel, Geer van Velde, and Julius Bissier.

1961 — Meets Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler and is introduced by him to Henriette Gomès, who then takes care of his painting as she already does for Balthus.

1962 — Birth of his son, Manuel, in Horta. In Marcillac, he creates three stained-glass windows for the private chapel of Edmond Michelet, who will become Minister of Culture. Meets Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier at Henriette Gomès's home.

1963 — Birth of his daughter, Giovanna, in Paris. First solo exhibition in Paris, at the Henriette Gomès Gallery. Jean Cassou purchases the painting La Seine for the Museum of Modern Art, of which he is director.

1964 — Meets the poet Théo Léger in Paris, who becomes one of the most important collectors of his work and with whom he develops a close friendship. Théo Léger introduced him to Mrs. Suzanne Tézénas (founder of Domaine Musical), who brought poets, writers, and musicians to her home.

1966 — His friendship with photographer and filmmaker William Klein led him to star in the film Qui êtes-vous, Polly Magoo ? and to meet Simone Signoret and Costa-Gravas. During this time, he often spent long evenings with the Spanish writer José Bergamin, who lived in exile in the same Marais neighborhood.

1967 — Second solo exhibition at the Henriette Gomès Gallery. The catalogue was prefaced by Jaime del Valle Inclan. The Center for Contemporary Art in Paris acquired the 1966 painting La Porte vitrée.

1968 — Frequently sees the draftsman Francis Closas and his wife Silvia Farriol.

1969 — Third solo exhibition at the Henriette Gomès gallery. Befriends Georges Raillard, a professor at the University of Vincennes who was, from 1964 to 1969, director of the Institut Français de Barcelona, as well as his wife Alice, translator of Jorge Amado.

1970 — Family trip to the Netherlands. In Paris, he often meets with Théo Léger, the writer, and with the painter Pierre Klossowski who became a great friend, as well as the writer and critic Patrick Walberg.

1972 — Two solo exhibitions at the Henriette Gomès Gallery (paintings in May, drawings and watercolors in November). Acquisition by the Cantini Museum in Marseille of a drawing. The French government purchased three drawings, a watercolor, and a painting.

1973 — Trip to London.

1974 — Solo exhibition at the Theo Gallery in Madrid. Catalogue prefaced by Julian Gallego. On this occasion, he met up with artist friends such as Guillermo Delgado, Manuel Caneja, and Cristino Mallo.

1976 — Solo exhibition at the Henriette Gomès Gallery. The 1974 painting Les Fermes was selected by the “Primer Certamen Internacional de Artes Plasticas” in Lanzarote (Canary Islands) and acquired by the museum there.

1977 — Solo exhibition at the Sa Pleta Freda Gallery in Mallorca, directed by Miquel Servera.

1978 — Alejo Carpentier writes about Xavier Valls' painting, a text that will be reproduced in the catalogue of the exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona in 1985.

1979 — Trip to Venice. Collaborates with a drawing for the literary magazine “Les Cahiers d'Obsidiane,” which devotes an issue to the Lebanese poet Salah Stétié. Is named a Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government. Receives the Painting Prize of the city of Cáceres (Extremadura). Solo exhibition at the Center for Catalan Studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. Catalogue prefaced by his friend Vladimir Jankélévitch. Solo exhibition at the Henriette Gomès Gallery in June and at the gallery's stand at the FIAC in October.

1980 — Trip to Florence. Receives the Prix Drouant, a French critics' prize whose jury is chaired by the poet Max-Paul Fouchet.

1981 —Exhibition Xavier Valls, Rétrospective 1954-1980 at the Ingres Museum in Montauban. Catalogue with a preface by Pierre Barousse, director of the museum.

1982 — The General Directorate of Fine Arts, Archives and Libraries of the Ministry of Culture in Madrid organizes the exhibition Xavier Valls in the exhibition halls of the General Directorate of Fine Arts. This exhibition, the first official recognition of his work in Spain, brings together 140 works. The catalogue presents a detailed study by art historian Antonio Bonet Correa, and the writings of poet Antoni Mari, Alejo Carpentier, Vladimir Jankélévitch, and Jaime del Valle Inclan.

1983 — Solo exhibition of drawings and watercolors at the Henriette Gomès Gallery.

1984 — The Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art in Madrid acquires the painting Pêches et pichet (1974). Xavier Valls writes about the painting of his friend the architect Oscar Tusquets “Quan Oscar Tusquets mira…” (The gaze of Oscar Tusquets) for the magazine “Quaderns d'Arquitectura” (Architecture Notebooks) in Barcelona.

1985 — Solo exhibition at the Henriette Gomès Gallery. After 26 years of absence, he finally exhibits in his hometown, at the National Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC).. Exhibition organized by the Barcelona City Council and the museum's director, Cristina Mendoza. The exhibition catalogue features a writing by Aurelia Capmany (Deputy for Culture at the Barcelona City Council), another by the museum's director, Cristina Mendoza, an in-depth study by Professor Julian Gallego, writings by the poet Marià Manent, Alejo Carpentier, Jean Selz, Xavier Valls, as well as a portrait of the painter by his friend, the photographer Leopoldo Pomés.

1987 — Collaborates with a writing Hommage à Luis Fernandez in the magazine “Rosa Cubica”, No. 1, a poetry magazine published in Barcelona by Alfonso Alegre. In November, stay in New York with their friend, the psychoanalyst Jaime Nos and his wife Chitina.

1988 — Solo exhibition at the ASB Gallery in London. The catalogue features a presentation by gallery director Janine Rensch, a writing by Vladimir Jankélévitch, a text by P. Schaffer, and a portrait of the painter by photographer Claude François and a portrait of the family by photographer Toni Catany.

1989 — Participates in the exhibition Les paysages dans l'Art Contemporain at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He is named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the Minister of Culture and Communication, Jack Lang. Collaborates with a drawing illustrating the poem Arboles hombres by Juan Ramon Jimenez, in the magazine “Rosa Cubica”, issues 3-4.

1991 — Solo exhibition of paintings and watercolors, at the stand of the Claude Bernard Gallery in Paris, at the “ARCO '91” International Art Fair in Madrid. In the catalogue, Réflexions et propos de Xavier Valls collected by Jean Paget. Solo exhibition, paintings and watercolors, at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid.

1993 — Solo exhibition, paintings and watercolors, at the Claude Bernard gallery, Paris. Catalogue with preface by Antoine Terrasse. Madrid, December 29: “Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts” (Medallà de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes) awarded by King Juan Carlos I, based on a proposal from the Spanish Ministry of Culture, approved by the Council of Ministers.

1994 — June 23, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), presentation of the Gold Medal by King Juan Carlos I. Exhibition of Plats d'Artistes from July 22 to September 9 at the Josep Llorens Artigas Foundation in Gallifa (Barcelona). From November 29 to January 10, 1995: “Salon de los 16”, Museo Nacional de Atropologia (antiguo MEAC), Madrid.

1995 — Quinze años de la Galeria Juan Gris, collective exhibition in Madrid in February. Contemporary Catalan Art - March 20 - Montpellier (Corum). Personal exhibition of paintings at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid (April-May). French Art Show group exhibition at Baynunah Hilton Tower, Abu Dhabi. “Aproarte” (Salo' del Tinell - Barcelona) Contemporary art in Barcelona. Collaborates with a text Mordaz, Ironico, Contundente for the newspaper ABC Cultural n° 216, Madrid, celebrating the centenary of the birth of José Bergamin (“Bergamin innovio a los cien alios”).

1996 — Collaborates with a text for the Revue “Arteyparte n°1” of Madrid in memory of Balthus (Encuentro con Balthus). Participates in the Sensibilidades exhibition at the Leandro Navarro gallery in Madrid. Participates in the collective exhibition La Naturaleza at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid. Participates in the collective exhibition Bodegon Contemporaneo at the Galeria Rayuela in Madrid. Inauguration of new rooms for the 20th century Art collection at the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid where three paintings by Xavier Valls are permanently exhibited. The Museo Reina Sofia has four. Creates seven watercolors (stencils) to illustrate the book À la Fontaine by the poet Eugène Guillevic, published by the Nouveau Cercle Parisien du Livre.

1997 — Solo exhibition of watercolors at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid. Participates in "Aproarte”, Ancient and Modern Art Fair in Madrid.

1999 — Solo exhibition of paintings at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid (April-May). Solo exhibition of paintings and watercolors at the Artur Ramon Art gallery in Barcelona (October-November).

2000 — He is named Commander in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government. “Premi Nacional de les Arts Plàstiques” (National Prize for Plastic Arts) awarded by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia).

2001 — Personal exhibition of paintings at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid on the occasion of the presentation of the book Escuchando a Xavier Valls by Miguel Fernandez-Braso, a long interview with Xavier Valls illustrated with personal photos and reproductions of his works.

2002 — Les contrées du silence collective exhibition at the Ingres museum in Montauban. Also participates in a group exhibition in Germany Memesis et inventio - Zeitgenössische Stilleben in Europa, Panorama Museum, Bad Frankenhausen.

2003 — Participates in the Mirada del siglo XX pintura y escultura exhibition at the Palacio de los Serrano, the catalogue is published by the Caja de Ahorros de Avila in Spain. Presentation in Barcelona of the book La meva capsa de Pandora, memoirs of Xavier Valls published by Quaderns Crema, Barcelona. Personal exhibition of watercolors at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid and also presentation of the book La meva capsa de Pandora written in Catalan.

2004 — Writes a text in Catalan for the magazine “Quaderns” of the “Fundacio' Rafael Benet” in memory of the painter Rafael Benet.

2005 — Personal exhibition of paintings at the Juan Gris gallery in Madrid.

2006 — Xavier Valls died on September 16, 2006 in his house in Barcelona. On September 27 he was named “Academic correspondent in Paris of the Acadèmia de Belles Arts de St Jordi”, Academy of Fine Arts of Barcelona.

Contact