Frederic Marès, in addition to being a great collector, was an outstanding sculptor. His work, present in the streets and squares of Barcelona, ​​can also be admired in his Studio-library, where some of his sculptures donated to the museum in 1988 are exhibited.

This marble sculpture is the model of the main figure of the monument dedicated to Francesc Soler i Rovirosa. Following the completion of this work, Marès consecrated himself as a public sculptor. Not only was it consecrated in front of the artistic world, but also this monument became part of the history of the commemorative sculpture of the city.

The monument is a tribute to the Catalan scenographer Francesc Soler i Rovirosa, who died in 1900, who was the great innovator of Spanish scenography. The artistic institutions of the city entrusted Frederic Marès with this project without calling for a competition, through public subscription to finance the work's expenses, and giving him thematic freedom. This gives us an idea of ​​the prestige that the sculptor had even then. Three years later the monument was inaugurated in the garden - then named Queen Victoria's - on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes in Barcelona.

it is very simple: it consists of a pedestal with a medallion on which is the effigy of Soler and Rovirosa, on which rests a female figure holding a rose and seems to offer it to the honored artist as a symbol of triumph and immortality. The figure represents the attributes of the noucentista woman, with classic and serene lines. From a formal point of view, it departs from the typical standards of commemorative monuments: it relegates the honored person to the background - represented within a medallion - to show through this allegorical figure his recognized artistic work.

You will notice that several versions of this work in other materials are exhibited in the same room.