Mariano Andreu was born in 1888, coinciding with the Barcelona World Fair, the high point of the Catalan modernist movement. Evolving in the artistic spheres, he began a career as an enameller, which led him to study in London, where he was influenced by the work of Audrey Bearsdley.

 

Forged by a classical culture and far removed from "Del Quatre Gats" generation, he soon joined the Noucentisme (Noucentiste movement)[1]. Nevertheless, he remained sensitive to modernist ideas, which he encountered through his friendships with Albenitz's daughter Ismael Smith and Nestor Martin Fernandez, champion of Catalan symbolism.

Quickly bored by his work as an "enameller", he decided to move to Paris in 1920to devote himself fully to painting and engraving. He engraved and illustrated works by Noucentisme theorist Eugenio d'Ors, Montherlant and Giraudoux.

 

He executed various decorations for operas, including L'Opera Comique in Paris, the Alhambra theater in London, etc.

He exhibited at the Salon d'Automne from 1911 to 1937.

 

It was in 1922 that he delivered his self-portrait. The line emphasizes a face modeled with a blur; the artist is camped in his situation as an artist accomplished in his art and his social position. An inscription: "mon portrait à Paris 19 avril 1922 ..." (My portrait in Pairs April 19 1922). Marino Andreu's career was then just beginning: honored by the French Republic with the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur, he held a series of exhibitions around the world and collaborated on a variety of stage sets. He exhibited his work at Serge Roche's gallery and, reminiscent of his early work, collaborated with him on numerous projects.

His experience in Paris has led him to be highly appreciated abroad.

 

His works are present in the collections of prestigious international museums such as:

British Museum, Toledo Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.