JOSÉ MARÍA DE LABRA. Untitled.

Lithograph
Signed, dated 1984 and numbered 8/75
29.7x42 cm

José María de Labra y Suazo (1925-1994) was a renowned Spanish painter, sculptor and designer, recognised as one of the reformers of geometric abstraction. Trained at the San Fernando School of Fine Arts in Madrid, he was part of Parpalló Group and collaborated with Equipo 57 and Equipo Córdoba in the first joint exhibition of Spanish Normative Art in 1960. Although he initially worked on figurative religious themes, in the mid 1950's he shifted to geometric abstraction and constructivism, and was one of the pioneers in Spain in this field.

Labra excelled in experimentation through painting and sculpture, exploring new concepts of space and movement by mixing materials. In the 1970's, he extended his creativity towards design and interior design. His focus on geometry reflected universal ideas of beauty as measure and truth. He exhibited in leading galleries worldwide and was awarded important prizes, such as the Francesco Perotti Prize at the Venice Biennale.

His work is present in collections such as the Afundación Collection, the Biblioteca Museo Víctor Balaguer, and the Museo de Arte Abstracto in Cuenca. In 1989, Martín Alia published a doctoral thesis on his work, and after his death in 1994, exhibitions and publications have been held to honour his legacy, such as the exhibition at Oteiza Museum in 2013 and the book "De Labra" published by José Manuel García Iglesias that year.