Josep Renau Berenguer

author · photographer

Spanish^[1] b. 11 May 1907, Valencia, Spain^[1] d. 11 November 1982, East Berlin, East Germany^[1] active 1930–1982

Josep Renau Berenguer (1907–1982) was a prominent Spanish artist, graphic designer, and communist revolutionary. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in photomontage and collage, which he utilized as a powerful tool for political propaganda during the Spanish Civil War. As Director General of Fine Arts between 1936 and 1938, Renau played a crucial role in cultural policy, notably commissioning Pablo Picasso's 'Guernica' and organizing the evacuation of masterpieces from the Prado Museum to save them from bombing. Following his exile, he lived in Mexico and later East Berlin, where he continued to produce satirical photomontages critiquing American consumerism and Cold War politics, such as 'The American Way of Life'. His work is characterized by a synthesis of avant-garde aesthetics—influenced by Dadaism and Art Deco—with committed social activism.^[1,2]

• Photomontage
• Political propaganda
• Anti-fascism
• Social change
• American consumerism

Works by Josep Renau Berenguer

• 1986 Fotomontador Fondo de Cultura Económica · book · English · ISBN 9681621158 The book features a selection of Renau's photomontages, specifically focusing on his critiques of American culture.
• 1945 Tropic painting A notable mural/painting created during his period of exile.
• 1977 The American Way of Life photomontage A series of photomontages created in East Berlin.

Exhibitions

• 2006 Josep Renau fotomontador Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno, Valencia · solo

References

1. Josep Renau. Wikipedia. 2024 link
2. Albert Forment. Josep Renau. IVAM. 2003