Monument a Rius i Taulet
Monument a Rius i Taulet is a sculptural monument on Passeig de Lluís Companys in Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella district. It is dedicated to lawyer and politician Francisco de Paula Rius y Taulet, mayor of Barcelona and the main promoter of the 1888 Universal Exposition. Designed after a 1896 competition won by sculptor Manuel Fuxá, with architect Pedro Falqués responsible for the pedestal and obelisk, and Eusebi Arnau contributing the figure of Barcelona, it was begun in 1897 and inaugurated in 1901. The monument features a pedestal with bronze shields referring to projects promoted by the mayor, an obelisk with his bust, allegories of Labour and Barcelona, and figures symbolizing Industry, Science, and Art.
© Josep Renalias · CC BY-SA 3.0
April 2008 © PMRMaeyaert · CC BY-SA 4.0
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July 2012 © Turol Jones, un artista de cojones · CC BY 2.0
May 2013 © Camille Hardy · CC BY-SA 3.0 es
Identification | |
| Title | Monument to Rius y Taulet |
| Type | Sculptural monument |
Historical context | |
| Construction period | 1897 to 1901 |
| Commissioning context | The idea of erecting a monument to the mayor arose in 1896, and a competition was held in 1896 |
Creator | |
| Sculptor | Manuel Fuxá |
| Architect | Pedro Falqués |
| Additional artist | Eusebi Arnau |
| Additional artist contribution | Author of the figure of Barcelona |
Discovery and provenance | |
| Heritage status | Listed as a Local Cultural Asset (BCIL) |
| Heritage code | 08019/1117 |
| Heritage inventory | Catalan Cultural Heritage Inventory |
| Honoree | Francesc de Paula Rius i Taulet |
| Competition result | Won by sculptor Manuel Fuxá, working in conjunction with architect Pedro Falqués |
| Honoree's significance | Main promoter of the 1888 Universal Exposition |
| Honoree's role | Lawyer and politician; mayor of Barcelona during the 1888 Universal Exposition |
| Dedicated to | Francesc de Paula Rius i Taulet |
Physical characteristics | |
| Additional figures | Three small genii |
| Rear figure | Winged Fame figure at the back |
| Allegorical figures | Two figures surrounding the bust: an allegory of Work and an allegory of Barcelona |
| Projects represented on pedestal | Parc de la Ciutadella; the 1888 Universal Exposition; the Columbus Monument; and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes |
| Pedestal decoration | Four bronze shields on the four sides, representing major projects promoted by the mayor |
| Structure | Pedestal and obelisk rising from the base |
| Form | Obelisk on a pedestal |
| Main figure | Bronze bust of the mayor on the obelisk |
Iconography and meaning | |
| Barcelona figure attribute | Offers a laurel branch |
| Symbolism of laurel branch | Immortality |
| Rear figure attributes | Holds a torch in one hand and a palm branch in the other |
| Symbolism of torch and palm branch | Victory and fame |
| Symbolized concepts | Industry, Science, and Art |
| Front side features | A worker symbolizing Labor and an allegorical figure interpreted as the city paying tribute to the mayor |
Location and ownership | |
| Reason for location | The site was chosen opposite the Parc de la Ciutadella, where the 1888 Exposition promoted by Rius i Taulet was held |
| Location | Paseo de Lluís Companys, Ciutat Vella District, Barcelona, Spain |
| Main location of the monument | Salón de San Juan, now Paseo de Lluís Companys, in front of the Parc de la Ciutadella |
History and restoration | |
| Foundation stone laid | 26 September 1897 |
| Construction duration | Four years |
| Inauguration date | 17 September 1901 |
| Construction start | The first stone was laid on an unspecified date |
| Inauguration | The monument was inaugurated on an unspecified date |
Materials | |
| Material | Bronze |
| Material | Bronze bust |