Mariano Andreu

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Mariano Andreu (1888-1976) was a Spanish painter, drawer, enamelling master, sculptor, and stage designer.

He was born in Barcelona in 1888 and lived his early childhood above the "Circo Barcelonés" in the Calle Montserrat. Early on he was affiliated to the "Noucentistes" movement , named by his friend Eugenio D'Ors. He studied in London under Alexander Fisher an enamaller of the Central Arts & Crafts School in London. Returning to Barcelona Andreu made one of the world's largest enamels, the triptych "L'Orb" using contemporary enamelling techniques of the day.

He left Spain for Paris, with his wife Philomene ("Filo") Stes, he became involved in stage design; he carried out works such as Voleur d'Images, Sonatina for the Opéra Comique in 1929, Jota Aragonese and the Capriccio Espagnole He designed costumes for films such "That Lady" (1955, with Olivia de Havilland)) and the short ballet film, "Spanish Fiesta" (1942).

He was invited to London by Sir John Gielgud to design the sets and costumes for Shakespeare's Hamlet, All's well that ends well and Much Ado about Nothing. He also was the producer for Hector Berlioz's "Les Troyens" at Covent Garden in 1957 an overnight success.

Early exhibitions in London were seen at the Claridge Gallery and the Leicester Gallery.

Throughout his life Andreu produced some 30 "Livres de Luxe", for which he early on gained an enviable reputation as one of the finest lithographers and illustrators of his day.

His work is held in many public and private collections in France, The United States and Great Britain, and Spain.