Antoni Tàpies is a Spanish artist known for his practice with multiple techniques that incorporate found objects and natural materials. Social themes run through his tactile and textured works, influenced by political philosophy and the post-war state of the Spanish government. Born Antoni Tàpies i Puig on December 13, 1923 in Barcelona, the painter, sculptor and lithographer began his career with the surrealist traditions, . Tàpies later joined the informal art movement and his work became oriented towards the asbtrait in the 1950s. He died on February 6, 2012 in Barcelona where the Fundació Antoni Tàpies is located.