Born in Barcelona, Julio González came from a family of metalworkers, an upbringing that deeply informed his technical mastery of iron and bronze. After moving to Paris in the early 20th century, he became a central figure in the avant-garde scene, eventually collaborating with Pablo Picasso to produce a series of innovative welded metal sculptures that redefined the possibilities of the medium.

His signature approach involved moving away from traditional solid mass toward a linear, transparent aesthetic that integrated negative space as a structural element. By treating iron as a malleable material for artistic expression rather than industrial utility, he bridged the gap between traditional metalwork and modern abstract sculpture.

González remains a foundational figure in the history of 20th-century art, with his works frequently cited in institutional surveys of modernism. His influence is noted in the development of subsequent generations of sculptors who utilized industrial materials to explore spatial relationships and abstract form.