Collection: Julio González

Julio González i Pellicer (1876 1942) was a Spanish sculptor and painter born in Barcelona. He developed the expressive use of iron as a medium for modern sculpture, pioneering the use of forged and welded iron in art. González came from a lineage of metalsmith workers and artists and was associated with the Spanish circle of artists in Montmartre.

González's artistic singularity lay in his constructive forms and linear plasticity, often creating abstract compositions from metal rods and strips. His work was influenced by Cubism, Russian Constructivism, and Surrealism. He also produced naturalistic, fragmented busts from sheet metal, such as Woman with Hair in a Bun (c. 1930) and Montserrat (1937).

As an important representative of sculpture in Abstract Art, González's innovative approach to iron sculpture significantly influenced Western sculpture. His collaboration with Pablo Picasso on Cubist assemblage sculpture further solidified his impact on modern art.