The Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc, founded in 1893, is one of the most prominent associations of artists and art and culture lovers in Barcelona. With over 125 years of history, the institution has hosted important Catalan artists and intellectuals, notably Alexandre de Riquer, Antoni Gaudí, Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and Joan Miró. The connection between Sant Lluc and several key representatives of both the Modernist generation and the avant-garde has established the institution as a leading point of reference within the country's cultural and artistic landscape.
Sant Lluc's artistic production takes place within its drawing, sketching, and life model studios, as well as in the printmaking, photography, and sculpture workshops where the aesthetic possibilities of the figure and model are explored. Alongside these spaces, exhibitions, debates, and courses expand Sant Lluc's offering as a centre for artistic practice.
In 2009, Sant Lluc inaugurated its new headquarters at Palau Mercader, a 16th-century building located in the city's historic centre. This move marked the beginning of a new phase for the institution, aimed at achieving greater cultural reach across the city and fostering an enriching dialogue with contemporary society. Drawing, which has always been at the core of Sant Lluc's activities, thus re-emerges as the main pillar of all its artistic creation.