LONDON.- Stern Pissarro Gallery presents Carlos Nadal: Joie de Vivre, an exuberant exhibition celebrating the vision of French-born Spanish painter Carlos Nadal (1917–1998). On view from 19 June to 26 July, the show features thirty works—many previously unseen—drawn from a major private collection, alongside pieces that have been exhibited internationally.

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Born in Montmartre to Spanish parents, Nadal grew up under the easy camaraderie of the Parisian avant-garde. Frequent visitors to his father’s studio included Braque, Léger, Dufy, Picasso and Utrillo, whose encouragement shaped his earliest paintings. After serving in the Spanish Civil War, Nadal returned to Barcelona, remaining in close contact with Picasso, who continued to mentor the younger artist throughout his career.

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An eminent critic coined Nadal “the last of the Fauves” in 1996, a testament to his direct lineage from that radical circle of early-20th-century Expressionists. His work—whether riotous interiors, sun-drenched landscapes or animated coastal scenes—radiates a naïve- expressionist immediacy. Viewers will recognise affectionate nods to Matisse, Léger or Picasso tucked inside his lively salons, yet Nadal’s inimitable palette and sweeping lines deliver pure, unfiltered joy.

“Good art should evoke in one a desire to look, to enjoy, and perhaps possess,” writes author, collector and member of the Le Comité Nadal, John Duncalfe. “Nadal’s canvases create a light-hearted joy and beauty which can be enjoyed by collectors who are driven to investigate more.”

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• Plage du nord (1983) – a large-scale beach scene with a lively composition capturing the French coast
• Salon Rojo (1992) – a vibrant interior that pays homage to the paintings of Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh
• A group of mixed media works on paper from a private collection


Carlos Nadal: Joie de Vivre opened at Stern Pissarro Gallery on 19th June 2025 and will be on view through 26th July 2025.