Jusep Torres Campalans
Encyclopedia
Jusep Torres Campalans is the "biography" of a fictitious Catalan
painter written by Spanish novelist Max Aub
and published in 1958. According to the book, during his stay in Paris Campalans became one of the co-founders of the Cubist movement
. After the beginning of World War II
, he is said to have moved to Mexico
, where he spent the rest of his life as a recluse
in Chiapas
. The book even included a catalogue of his works (written by "H. R. Town") for a planned exhibition at the Tate Gallery
in 1942 (which, of course, never materialized), with illustrations and photos. Parallels with Aub's life have been noted. The book is still often listed as a real biography.
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
painter written by Spanish novelist Max Aub
Max Aub
Max Aub Mohrenwitz was a Spanish experimentalist novelist, playwright and literary critic. In 1965 he founded the literary periodical Los Sesenta , with editors that included the poets Jorge Guillén and Rafael Alberti.-Early life:Aub was born in Paris to a Jewish French mother and German father,...
and published in 1958. According to the book, during his stay in Paris Campalans became one of the co-founders of the Cubist movement
Cubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
. After the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he is said to have moved to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, where he spent the rest of his life as a recluse
Recluse
A recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society, often close to nature. The word is from the Latin recludere, which means "shut up" or "sequester." There are many potential reasons for becoming a recluse: a personal philosophy that rejects consumer society; a...
in Chiapas
Chiapas
Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las...
. The book even included a catalogue of his works (written by "H. R. Town") for a planned exhibition at the Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
in 1942 (which, of course, never materialized), with illustrations and photos. Parallels with Aub's life have been noted. The book is still often listed as a real biography.