Spanish painter, graphic artist, theatrical designer, and sculptor, born in Barcelona, where he studied at the School of Fine Arts in the evenings while apprenticed to a sign-writer and poster artist. In 1939 he moved to Paris, where he was initially influenced by the *Intimisme of *Bonnard and *Vuillard. From the mid-1940s, however, his painting became more expressive, with affinities to the the rich and vibrant manner of *Rouault. In the late 1950s he began to do the works for which he is best known—*Lyrical Abstractions featuring paint over damask tapestry collages. In addition to painting, Clavé had much success as a graphic artist, particularly with coloured lithographs, and as a designer of theatrical sets and costumes, notably for Roland Petit's ballet company.