Montserrat I

The sculpture Montserrat I (1936–37) by Julio González is a naturalistic work inspired by the Spanish Civil War. González, a Spanish sculptor and painter, pioneered the expressive use of iron in modern sculpture. He was trained by his father, a metalworker, and later moved to Paris, where he became acquainted with avant-garde artists like Pablo Picasso. While initially a painter, González began creating sculptures in welded iron in 1927. His mature works often feature abstract female figures constructed from metal rods and sheets, incorporating hollow volumes. Montserrat I is one of his most recognized pieces, reflecting the horrors and injustices of the war. The mountain Montserrat in Spain, which inspired the sculpture's name, is known for its distinctive "saw-toothed" appearance and its Benedictine monastery.12