birth
Barcelona, Spain, 1937
death
Badalona, Spain, 1998
last update
23-02-2026
Xavier Miserachs (Barcelona, 1937 - 1998) was one of Catalonia's leading photographers. His career began when he joined the Agrupació Fotogràfica de Catalunya as a teenager in 1952. It was there that he met Oriol Maspons and began what would become a lifelong friendship. In 1954, aged seventeen, he won the 1st Luis Navarro Trophy at the 2nd National Salon of Modern Photography organised by the Agrupació Fotogràfica de Catalunya. That same year, he began studying medicine, although he dropped out in the last year of his studies in order to concentrate fully on photography.
The first of the two now-classic exhibitions with photographs by Xavier Miserachs, Ricard Terré and Ramón Masats was held in 1957 at the Agrupació Fotogràfica de Catalunya in Barcelona, at AFAL in Almeria, and at the Real Sociedad Fotográfica in Madrid. Two years later, in 1959, the second Terré-Miserachs-Masats show was held at Sala Aixelà in Barcelona. From then on, Miserachs became one of the driving forces behind the renewal of documentary photography in Catalonia, which picked up the thread of a tradition that had been cut short by the Spanish Civil War. Miserachs published books that have, for decades, shaped the imaginary of Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Barcelona. Blanc i negre (Avmà, 1964), Costa Brava Show (Kairós, 1966) and Los cachorros (Lumen, 1967) are two key works from the photographic avant-garde of the time. Miserachs was strongly influenced by the work of the photographer William Klein and his books on cities, particularly the first one dealing with New York, which was published in 1955. The 1955 exhibition The Family of Man also left a deep impression on Miserachs and his contemporaries, and helped to shape the neutralist poetics that showed the working classes moving towards the new urban environment.
From the late sixties onwards, Miserachs expanded his professional activities to include advertising, photojournalism and editorial photography. In 1966, be began travelling around the world as correspondent for La Actualidad Española, Gaceta Ilustrada, La Vanguardia, Interviú and Triunfo. In 1969 he co-founded Eina art school and became its first photography teacher, and in 1970 he began his occasional experiments with film: he was producer and director of photography for two underground films directed by Enrique Vila-Matas and Emma Cohen, and directed and produced the short film Amén, historieta muda. In the final years of his life, Miserachs became interested in writing as a way of leaving a written record of his way of conceiving photography, and he wrote books such as Fulls de contactes. Memòries (Edicions 62, 1998) and Criterio fotográfico (Omega, 1998). His photographs are part of some of the most important collections of the photography of the period, including Fotocolectania and MACBA.
The first of the two now-classic exhibitions with photographs by Xavier Miserachs, Ricard Terré and Ramón Masats was held in 1957 at the Agrupació Fotogràfica de Catalunya in Barcelona, at AFAL in Almeria, and at the Real Sociedad Fotográfica in Madrid. Two years later, in 1959, the second Terré-Miserachs-Masats show was held at Sala Aixelà in Barcelona. From then on, Miserachs became one of the driving forces behind the renewal of documentary photography in Catalonia, which picked up the thread of a tradition that had been cut short by the Spanish Civil War. Miserachs published books that have, for decades, shaped the imaginary of Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Barcelona. Blanc i negre (Avmà, 1964), Costa Brava Show (Kairós, 1966) and Los cachorros (Lumen, 1967) are two key works from the photographic avant-garde of the time. Miserachs was strongly influenced by the work of the photographer William Klein and his books on cities, particularly the first one dealing with New York, which was published in 1955. The 1955 exhibition The Family of Man also left a deep impression on Miserachs and his contemporaries, and helped to shape the neutralist poetics that showed the working classes moving towards the new urban environment.
From the late sixties onwards, Miserachs expanded his professional activities to include advertising, photojournalism and editorial photography. In 1966, be began travelling around the world as correspondent for La Actualidad Española, Gaceta Ilustrada, La Vanguardia, Interviú and Triunfo. In 1969 he co-founded Eina art school and became its first photography teacher, and in 1970 he began his occasional experiments with film: he was producer and director of photography for two underground films directed by Enrique Vila-Matas and Emma Cohen, and directed and produced the short film Amén, historieta muda. In the final years of his life, Miserachs became interested in writing as a way of leaving a written record of his way of conceiving photography, and he wrote books such as Fulls de contactes. Memòries (Edicions 62, 1998) and Criterio fotográfico (Omega, 1998). His photographs are part of some of the most important collections of the photography of the period, including Fotocolectania and MACBA.
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Festes de Gràcia, Barcelona, 1964. Sèrie: "Barcelona Blanc i Negre"
ca. 1964
Xavier Miserachs
Setmana Santa, Barcelona, 1964. Sèrie: "Barcelona Blanc i Negre"
ca. 1964
Xavier Miserachs
![[4372_001_pub / Imatge] Els Encants, Barcelona, 1957](https://d2zy2h1755x359.cloudfront.net/public/DigitalAsset/204241/2e3f467312ea400a4278ada41f891f85/full/large/0/default.jpg)
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![[4375_001_pub / Imatge] Antoñita La Singla, 1962](https://d2zy2h1755x359.cloudfront.net/public/DigitalAsset/205281/c4493aa27d10065634a6d636eb9dacf2/full/large/0/default.jpg)
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![[4380_001_pub / Imatge] Barcelona, 1962. Sèrie: "Barcelona Blanc i Negre"](https://d2zy2h1755x359.cloudfront.net/public/DigitalAsset/267470/97e228fb3b8992cc17043f324c46957c/full/large/0/default.jpg)
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![[4390_002_rgb / Imatge] Sense títol. Sèrie: "Barcelona Blanc i Negre"](https://d2zy2h1755x359.cloudfront.net/public/DigitalAsset/267473/9a02714f96982d2e09d04d949bef8ff4/full/large/0/default.jpg)
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![[4378_001_pub / Imatge] Verges, 1964. Sèrie: "Costa Brava Show"](https://d2zy2h1755x359.cloudfront.net/public/DigitalAsset/205282/03ea80b3b0900f74f72c26b0a8a6ed61/full/large/0/default.jpg)
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![[4387_001_pub / Imatge] Festes de Gràcia, Barcelona, 1964. Sèrie: "Barcelona Blanc i Negre"](https://d2zy2h1755x359.cloudfront.net/public/DigitalAsset/205283/1963b20e6a8bb0fb939ff253b8fed36b/full/large/0/default.jpg)
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![[4382_001_pub / Imatge] El Born, Barcelona, 1964. Sèrie: "Barcelona Blanc i Negre"](https://d2zy2h1755x359.cloudfront.net/public/DigitalAsset/204242/c8a8b69c16412e65af8215095162f828/full/large/0/default.jpg)
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documents
5.166 results
Maddox : temporada 1974/75
document
[1974?]
A14957
A14957
Fotògrafs
document
27-2-1997
A.XMI.5160
A.XMI.5160
TV3: Això és massa. Màgic Andreu
document
[1992]
A.XMI.5159
A.XMI.5159
[Cinta VHS amb diversos enregistraments de Radiotelevisión Española de 1999]
document
[1999]
A.XMI.5161
A.XMI.5161
[Cinta VHS amb escenes variades d'un grup de persones d'excursió]
document
[197-?]
A.XMI.5163
A.XMI.5163
BTV : Xavier Miserachs : L'entrevista
document
[1998]
A.XMI.5162
A.XMI.5162
Crear i viure (TV2)
document
[198-]
A.XMI.5164
A.XMI.5164
X.M. 50
document
[1985]
A.XMI.5165
A.XMI.5165
Temps de silence : panorama de la photographie espagnole durant les années 50 et 60 / Galerie municipale du Château d’eau
document
[1993]
A.XMI.5148
A.XMI.5148
[Conjunt de notes manuscrites]
document
[199-]
A.XMI.5105
A.XMI.5105
El presidente del club tenis "La Salud" saluda […]
document
1964
A.XMI.5152
A.XMI.5152
[Conjunt de retalls de revistes]
document
[197- - 198-]
A.XMI.5115
A.XMI.5115
[Conjunt de retalls de revistes]
document
[197- - 198-]
A.XMI.5116
A.XMI.5116
[Conjunt de retalls de premsa amb articles sobre fotografia]
document
[1950 - 1997]
A.XMI.5120
A.XMI.5120
Realismo de la fotografía de Xavier Miserachs
document
[195-?]
A.XMI.4786
A.XMI.4786
Terré, Miserachs, Masats : II Exposició de fotografies
document
1959
A.XMI.4702
A.XMI.4702
Carta : Llafranc, a Xavier Miserachs, Barcelona, 1975 mars 20
document
1975
A.XMI.4875
A.XMI.4875
Porqué?
document
[196-]
A.XMI.4806
A.XMI.4806
Carta : Barcelona, a Xavier Miserachs, [Barcelona], 1979 febr. 28
document
1979
A.XMI.4938
A.XMI.4938
Carta : Barcelona, a Bocaccio S.A., Barcelona, 1976 jul. 19
document
1976
A.XMI.4915
A.XMI.4915
Información de Bocaccio : week-end a Ibiza (inscritos)
document
[197-?]
A.XMI.4686
A.XMI.4686
Embarcaciones neumáticas : Nemrod
document
[1974?]
A.XMI.4687
A.XMI.4687
Xavier Miserachs Ribalta
document
[1992?]
A.XMI.4689
A.XMI.4689
Barcelona blanc i negre
document
[1964]
A.XMI.4681
A.XMI.4681
Barcelona blanc i negre
document
[1964]
A.XMI.4682
A.XMI.4682
Información de Bocaccio : week-end a Ibiza (inscritos) [esborrany]
document
[197-?]
A.XMI.4685
A.XMI.4685
Comentario en negro y blanco : tres fotógrafos, tres estilos
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4696
A.XMI.4696
Calafat
document
1965
A.XMI.4803
A.XMI.4803
[Tres fulls amb publicitat de neveres]
document
[196-]
A.XMI.4805
A.XMI.4805
Iglesias nuevas en España : de Arsenio Fernández Arenas, O.P.
document
[196-]
A.XMI.4807
A.XMI.4807
[Fotografia de l'interior de la sala Aixelà]
document
[1959]
A.XMI.4708
A.XMI.4708
[Fotografia de l'interior de la sala Aixelà]
document
[1959]
A.XMI.4709
A.XMI.4709
Real sociedad fotográfica : Boletín mensual para los sres. socios
document
1957
A.XMI.4698
A.XMI.4698
[Fotografia de l'interior de la sala Aixelà]
document
[1959]
A.XMI.4711
A.XMI.4711
[Real sociedad fotográfica : Boletín mensual para los sres. socios]
document
1957
A.XMI.4699
A.XMI.4699
Terré, Miserachs, Masats : fotografía
document
1957
A.XMI.4700
A.XMI.4700
[Fotografia de l'interior de la sala Aixelà]
document
[1959]
A.XMI.4712
A.XMI.4712
[Escena per a publicitat de Martini]
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4740
A.XMI.4740
[Retalls de revista]
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4742
A.XMI.4742
Marcel Martí : escultura
document
1962
A.XMI.4744
A.XMI.4744
[Fotografia en blanc i negre]
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4769
A.XMI.4769
II Exposición : Terré, Miserachs, Masats : Aixelá [sic]
document
1959
A.XMI.4726
A.XMI.4726
El santuario mas moderno de España : en León, la Virgen del Camino
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4770
A.XMI.4770
El santuario más moderno de España : en León, la Virgen del Camino
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4771
A.XMI.4771
Hace un tiempo de Nortal
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4772
A.XMI.4772
[Fotografia de l'interior de la sala Aixelà]
document
[1959]
A.XMI.4715
A.XMI.4715
La exposición de TMM
document
[1959?]
A.XMI.4719
A.XMI.4719
Su deporte favorito con la chemise Lacoste
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4753
A.XMI.4753
Su deporte favorito con la chemise Lacoste
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4754
A.XMI.4754
Tarraco : el abono complejo granulado completo
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4756
A.XMI.4756
Dos vents
document
[198-?]
A.XMI.4757
A.XMI.4757
Un detalle de buen gusto
document
1962
A.XMI.4766
A.XMI.4766
Radiant : el reloj de la hora exacta
document
1962
A.XMI.4760
A.XMI.4760
Carta : Barcelona, a Xavier Miserachs, Barcelona, 1975 oct. 6
document
1975
A.XMI.4888
A.XMI.4888
Otoño - invierno 64
document
[1964]
A.XMI.4750
A.XMI.4750
Carta : Barcelona, a Xavier Miserachs, Barcelona, 1975 abr. 14
document
1975
A.XMI.4877
A.XMI.4877
Carta : Ciutat de Mallorca [i.e. Palma de Mallorca], a Paco Iraola, Esclanyà, 1982 ag. 30
document
1982
A.XMI.4971
A.XMI.4971
Carta : Barcelona, a Derek Stevens, Londres, 1976 abr. 5
document
1976
A.XMI.4903
A.XMI.4903
Carta : Barcelona, a Yanko, Inca [Mallorca], 1977 abr. 4
document
1977
A.XMI.4923
A.XMI.4923
Bagués : listas de boda : joyería, platería, relojería
document
[1963?]
A.XMI.4863
A.XMI.4863
Carta : Barcelona, a l'atenció de la vocalia de Concursos i Exposicions, Agrupació Fotogràfica de Catalunya, [Barcelona], 1979 març 5
document
1979
A.XMI.4939
A.XMI.4939
Carta : Palafrugell, a Klaus Kramp, Colònia, 1997 gen. 14
document
1997
A.XMI.5074
A.XMI.5074
Florecen fotos
document
[1982?]
A.XMI.5051
A.XMI.5051
Manos arriba por el amor de Dios
document
[197-?]
A.XMI.4795
A.XMI.4795
Carta : Nova York, a Xavier Miserachs, Barcelona, 1976 gen. 22
document
1976
A.XMI.4901
A.XMI.4901
Milan : para borrar bien
document
[197-?-198-?]
A.XMI.4844
A.XMI.4844
Carta : Buenos Aires, a Xavier Miserachs, Barcelona, 1975 jul. 7
document
1975
A.XMI.4886
A.XMI.4886
Carta : Barcelona, a editorial Blume, Barcelona, 1975 oct. 31
document
1975
A.XMI.4890
A.XMI.4890
Carta : Barcelona, a Xavier Miserachs, Barcelona, 1975 abr. 25
document
1975
A.XMI.4878
A.XMI.4878
Tele/expres [11 juny 1970]
document
1970
A.XMI.4798
A.XMI.4798
Carta : Barcelona, a Casa Arpí, Barcelona, 1975 set. 3
document
1975
A.XMI.4887
A.XMI.4887
Carta : Roma, a Xavier Miserachs, Barcelona, 1975 oct. 31
document
1975
A.XMI.4889
A.XMI.4889
[Contracte entre Xavier Miserachs i Ediciones Polígrafa S.A.]
document
1969
A.XMI.4631
A.XMI.4631
[Contracte entre Xavier Miserachs i l'editorial La Polígrafa S.A.]
document
1965
A.XMI.4630
A.XMI.4630
[Rebut de contracte amb l'editorial Kairós S.A.]
document
1966
A.XMI.4626
A.XMI.4626
Carta : Barcelona, a José Fernández, Madrid, 1976 des. 2
document
1976
A.XMI.4918
A.XMI.4918
Carta : Barcelona, a Hertz de España, Madrid, 1976 abr. 6
document
1976
A.XMI.4904
A.XMI.4904
Carta : Barcelona, a Bocaccio S.A., Barcelona, 1976 juny 14
document
1976
A.XMI.4909
A.XMI.4909
Carta : Barcelona, a Presidente del Hospital de Niños Pobres de Barcelona, Barcelona, 1978 febr. 1
document
1978
A.XMI.4930
A.XMI.4930
Un orfebre actual para el hogar de hoy : A. Serrahima
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4813
A.XMI.4813
Xavier Miserachs : arxiu de Rodalies : del 16 d'abril al 13 de maig de 1994
document
1994
A.XMI.5143
A.XMI.5143
Una excelente exposición de fotografía
document
[1957?]
A.XMI.4722
A.XMI.4722
[Cartolina amb fotografies enganxades]
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4739
A.XMI.4739
[Llistat amb el registre d'imatges entregades a Firo-Foto Archivo fotográfico el 1988]
document
1988
A.XMI.5028
A.XMI.5028
Resultados técnicos
document
1972
A.XMI.4684
A.XMI.4684
Concepció Gual
document
[1990]
A.XMI.5146
A.XMI.5146
[Dona en banyador rosa]
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4731
A.XMI.4731
[Fotografia de l'interior de la sala Aixelà]
document
[1959]
A.XMI.4705
A.XMI.4705
[Conjunt de factures per serveis prestats de l'any 1996]
document
1996
A.XMI.5041
A.XMI.5041
Milan : plastic erasers
document
[197-?-198-?]
A.XMI.4851
A.XMI.4851
Con Xavier Miserachs
document
1969
A.XMI.4695
A.XMI.4695
Tres maneras de ver Barcelona
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4697
A.XMI.4697
[Conjunt de notes i cartes relacionades amb la situació cultural de la fotografia]
document
[1994]
A.XMI.5078
A.XMI.5078
¡Wynn's felicita a Barcelona en fiestas!
document
1961
A.XMI.4758
A.XMI.4758
Campaña Profiden
document
[196-?]
A.XMI.4733
A.XMI.4733
[Fotografia de l'interior de la sala Aixelà]
document
[1959]
A.XMI.4710
A.XMI.4710
Armorial
document
[1964]
A.XMI.4823
A.XMI.4823
Carta : Barcelona, a Banco Central, Barcelona, 1980 set. 20
document
1980
A.XMI.4948
A.XMI.4948
Carta : Esclanyà, a Club Meliá, Madrid, 1982 juny 30
document
1982
A.XMI.4968
A.XMI.4968
[Catàleg Bagués]
document
[1974]
A.XMI.4829
A.XMI.4829