Enric Cluselles i Albertí (Barcelona, 23 August 1914 - 17 July 2014) was a versatile artist interested primarily in drawing, bookplates, engraving and interior design, which belongs to the generation of artists of the Republic and the Civil War. He used the pseudonym "Nyerra."
Biography
Enric Cluselles studied at “Escola de Belles Arts” of Llotja and Escola Massana between 1929 and 1934. In 1934 he makes his first bookplate and publishes his first drawings in “Quaderns literaris” collection edited by Josep Janés. In 1936 takes part of the Professional Designers Union with Pere Calders, Tísner and Carles Fontserè; He contributes to L'Esquetlla de la Torratxa weekly magazine signing with the pseudonym of "Nyerra" and where his drawings are featured by characters with mustaches and feet seal, also known as man-seal. In 1937 he joins the Republican front, serving as carabinieri with Pere Calders. In 1938 edits “Unitats de xoc” written by Calders and illustrated with his woodcuts.
After the war, in 1939, he exiled with Calders; He passes through various locations in France and finally arrives at Roissy-en-Brie, where he met with other catalans intellectuals. In October 1939, in Paris, he married with Amalia Casals. In July 1940 he returned to Barcelona; in his way, he is imprisoned in the Castle of Figueres. In 1940, back in Barcelona, he diversifies occupations: teaching at “Escola Massana”; commercial designer for the company “Juper” and graphic designer covering “Al monigote de papel” collection from “Janés” editor. He also started a collaboration with Santiago Marco, interior designer and president of the FAD (“Foment de les Arts Decoratives”), an activity that became his modus vivendi; later on, he struck out on his own by founding his own company “Tírvia”. He also restored and decorated old farmhouses, mansions and chalets, cinemas in Barcelona (Paris, Alondra, Fantasio, Publi ...) Jewelry “Capdevila”, publishing house “Éxito” or bookstores like Occidente and Catalònia.
He also cultivated other artistic fields, the most prominent being the woodcut, which he employed in the majority of his bookplates -more than 100-. Also noteworthy are their New Year greetings -PF-, in which Nyerra satirizes about the present. As an amateur he was also dedicated to sculpture, painting and jewelry. His personal collection is preserved in Biblioteca de Catalunya, which includes the 3500 plans of houses and interior designs.
Bibliography
Diví, Oriol M. "Nyerra": Enric Clusellas i Albertí in “Ex-libris portaveu de l'Associació Catalana d'Exlibristes” (Núm. 14, gener-juny 1996, p. 19-21).
