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Architecture in Barcelona: Sagrada Familia
Antonio Gaudí: Modernism and art nouveau
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Antoni Gaudí
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Sagrada Família
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Casa Milà. La Pedrera |
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Casa Batlló |
Antoni Gaudí (1852 - 1926), was a Catalan architect and the outstanding representative of Catalan modernism.
From 1873 to 1878, Gaudí studied architecture in Barcelona. In addition to his studies, he also worked in different architects' studios, among others with the architect Francisco de Paula de Villar. In 1878 he opened his own offices in Barcelona, from where he put into effect the decisive parts of his
many works. From 1882 he worked repeatedly for the textile manufacturer, Eusebi Güell, who became his most important patron. On the 3rd November 1883 he took over the work begun a year earlier on the Sagrada Familia
and on which he would work for the next 43 years of his life. Gaudí
invested almost all his own money in this project and during the last few years he lived almost exclusively in a small hut near the church.
On the 7th June 1926 Gaudí was on his way to the building site of the Sagrada Familia when he was run over by a tram. Because of his unkempt appearance, he was at first taken to the paupers' hospital,
the Hospital de la Santa Creu. His friend and close colleague, Domènech Sugranyes, and the beadle of the Sagrada Familia found him there three days later. They
moved him to a private room, where he died the same day, on the 10th June 1926. The whole city fell into deep mourning. Thousands paid him their last respects. The government ordered his body to be placed in the crypt of the still unfinished church of the La Sagrada Familia, to which the pope gave his approval. Antoni Gaudí's last resting place was where he had worked most of his life.
Art nouveau
Gaudí was known for his individualistic style of rounded, organically shaped forms. He erected his buildings in the
art nouveau style. The typical characteristics are curved lines, irregular floor plans, diagonally built supports and soft forms based on nature with flower and fauna motifs. Other tendencies were the use of quarry stones and colourful ceramic tiles, a strong creative influence in his buildings. Gaudí scornfully dismissed Gothic arched buttresses as "crutches" and used diagonal pillars instead. During construction, he developed his buildings by using sketches.
Among others, Gaudí's style has influenced the work of the Austrian painter and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
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