The artwork of LAUREANO BARRAU - one of Ibiza's many hidden treasures

On the hill of Puig De Missa, in Santa Eulalia, next to the hill's 400 year-old church sits a quaint little art museum containing some 200 paintings all by the hand of famous impressionist painter Laureano Barrau.

Barrau was born in Barcelona in 1863 and there he commenced his art studies. He then furthered his studies in Madrid. At the age of 21 he went to Paris and entered the 'Academie des Beaux Arts' with the great painter Gerome as his tutor. Two years later he won the 'Prix de Rome' of Barcelona. At the turn of the century, now 28 years old, Barrau was given the title of 'Societaire' by the 'Salon de la Nationale des Beaux Arts de Paris'. His paintings were placed on exhibit in art galleries and museums around the globe and his name became synonymous with 'great art'.

At the age of 47 Barrau decided to come to Ibiza, entranced by the island's beauty and charm. He settled with his wife in the town Santa Eulalia and swore he would not live in any other place in the world. He remained in Santa Eulalia the rest of his life where he painted what are considered his best pictures. In 1957 he died at the ripe old age of 94. He rests in his vault in the cemetery of Santa Eulalia.

The Barrau Museum, inaugurated in 1963, was created by Mrs. Barrau who then gave it to the town. Today it is in dispute, and has been for quite some time, whether the Museum and its contents belong to the town or the church. Tourists are more than welcome to visit the Museum if they come and find these doors open which is neither a rare nor common occurrence. But who opens these doors? See for yourself...

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