Josep Pla-Narbona (1928 - 2020)

Untitled, 1969

Etching with aquatint

Number 9 from the edition of 100

Published by Ferdinand Roten, Baltimore

Image 9.5 x 6.875 in

Sheet 17.5 x 14.75 in

Josep Pla-Narbona was born in Barcelona, Spain in 1928. His father and mother both died before the Spanish civil war started in 1936. He was raised by his uncles who encouraged his love and aptitude for drawing. In 1945 he began his artistic studies at the School of Arts and Crafts in Barcelona and started learning the printmaking techniques of lithography and engraving.

As a member of the AGI Pla-Narbona participated in exhibitions organized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts in New York (1966), the Lincoln Center in New York (1966), the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam (1973), the Design Center in Stuttgart (1974) , the Royal College of Art Galleries in London (1974) and the Musée des Arts Decoratifs de Laussana (1974) among others. 

Since then Pla-Narbona found success, exhibitions and awards, related to his design and graphic work. Pla-Narbona’s designs and engravings have been exhibited in Europe and America including the 1st International Biennale Poster exhibition in Warsaw, Poland. In 1972 some of his work was accepted into MoMA's Collection. In 1976 he received the first prize of the XVIII International Drawing Competition, Fundació Ynglada-Guillot, Barcelona.

Since 1977 he devoted his efforts to the Fine Arts (engraving, painting, and designing).  He received the Honor Laus 2000 from the ADG-FAD, the Design Award in 2001 from AEPD (Asociación Española de Profesionales del Diseño) and the Spanish National Design Award 2004. He was given the 2011 Ilustrad’Or  award from the Professional Association of Illustrators of Catalonia and the Gold Medal of the Cercle Artístic de  Sant Lluc (2012, Barcelona).

Josep Pla-Nabona died in La Floresta, Spain, on December 12, 2020. There is a large holding of his work at the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.