The story behind: The Dancer

Each month, we tell you the story behind one of the images from IXXI's collection. Simply because it's an image that has great appeal, or because it's particularly beautiful, or because it has an interesting story. This month, we're telling you the story behind The Dancer by Josep Tapiró i Baró.



Tapiró i Baró grew up in the Spanish city of Reus. Just like many other well-known artists, when he was a little boy, Tapiró i Baró loved to draw. His talent was developed further when he went to Escola de la Llotja together with friend and artist Mariano Fortuny. He mainly painted historical religious scenes. This was to change when, along with Fortuny, he went to Tangier in 1871, a city in Morocco.



The Moroccan city provided an abundance of inspiration, resulting in his first exhibition of Orientalist paintings. The exhibition was held in 1873 at the International Art Circle of Rome, the city where he had previously studied. A year later, Fortuny suddenly died, prompting Tapiró i Baró to leave Rome and go back to Tangier again. He returned to Reus to spend time with his family each summer. During the time that Tapiró i Baró lived in Morocco, he painted the portrait The Dancer.

You can admire the painting Parache, el bailador or The Dancer by Josep Tapiró i Baró in the Museo del Prado in sunny Madrid. The portrait, painted in aquarelle, is of a Moroccan Gnawa. A Gnawa is a member of a brotherhood with Nigerian roots. The Gnawas are best known for their magical rituals in which they can heal people through dancing or singing. In addition to this well-known work of art, Tapiró i Baró created other portraits of Gnawa, many of them painted in profile. The Moroccan Gnawas from the medina are the stars of his aquarelle works.



Would The Dancer be a perfect fit for your décor? Then design your own IXXI now and IXXI your world! Curious about the stories behind other images from our collection? Read the story behind the Hummingbirds and the Vasterbotten Tree.