09 March, 2018
Antoni Gaudí and Other Influencers on Barcelonian Architecture
People flock to Barcelona for Antoni Gaudí and the other influencers on Barcelonian architecture. Indeed, the city’s architecture is highly affected by many other unnoticed, creative Catalonian artists and architects. In this article, you will find information about Gaudí and 3 other influencers on the architecture in Barcelona.
Antoni Gaudí i Cornet
1852-1926
Firstly, Antoni Gaudí i Cornet suffered from a serious rheumatic disorder as a child, but it helped him develop his particular talent at observing nature. Gaudí claimed that nature was his only teacher. He completely devoted himself to architecture. In addition, Gaudí provided new architectural solutions based on the shapes he observed in nature. Experts consider his work to be different from the Modernist style, and identified it as organist naturalism. Moreover, this nature-loving architect is the only architect in the world with 8 pieces of work that have been declared UNESCOS World Heritage sites. 7 of them are in Barcelona!
Antoni Gaudí’s work in Barcelona:
Sagrada Familia
Josep Maria Jujol
1879-1949
Visitors will inevitably find themselves in Park Güell to admire the view of the city. Most likely, they will be sitting on one of the beautiful curved benches made of different coloured tiles. For many people, the benches of Park Güell are the essence of Gaudí, but in fact, they were designed by Gaudí’s partner, Josep Maria Jujol!
Josep Maria Jujol’s work in Barcelona:
Moreover, Jujol and Gaudí first met when working on the facade of Casa Batlló in the Passeig de Gràcia. Moreover, the Casa Battló is one of Gaudí’s most loved and most visited creations. The facade is considered as being Jojoba’s work entirely.
In addition, the young architect Josep Maria Jujol enjoyed working alongside Antoni Gaudí on some of his amazing architectural projects. Jujol brought colour and life to Gaudí’s work, which is especially relevant. Besides having big influence on Park Güell, Jujol had big impact on the altar at Colonia Güell, the balconies on Casa Milà, and the emblem on the Torre Bellesguard in Barcelona. Unfortunately, Josep Maria Jujol’s contribution to Antoni Gaudí’s work have often been overlooked.
Lluís Domènech i Muntaner
1850-1923
Furthermore, Lluís Domenèch is known for his big impact on Art Nouveau. He is considered as one of the masters and founders of the modernista style. Also, besides being an architect, Lluís Domenèch was also a teacher. For two years, Domenèch was a senior for Gaudí at the Barcelona School of Architecture. Also, he designed majestic corners on buildings with cylindrical shapes, galleries and small temples or groups of sculptures. Additionally, Domenèch’s character is considered rather rebellious, which is reflected in the Hospital de Sant Pau.
Lluís Domenèch’s works in Barcelona:
- Hospital de Santa Creu i de Sant Pau (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
- Palau de la Música Catalana (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
- Building of the Fundació Antoni Tàpies
- Castell dels tres Dragons in the Parc de la Ciutadella
Josep Puig i Cadafalch
1867-1956
First of all, Josep Puig Cadafalch was an architect and Catalan nationalist politician. He was exiled to Paris during the Spanish Civil War. When he returned to Barcelona, Franco’s regime didn’t allow him from working as an architect. Therefore, due to fear of political punishment, Cadafalch hid all his personal files relating to his life in his house. Later on, his family found the files almost 80 years later.
Josep Puig Cadafalch decorated all the facades of the buildings with many small sculptures, and he signed each of them with the sculpture of Sant Jordi. The sculpture shows the patron saint of Catalonia on horseback fighting against the dragon.
Fun fact!
The 4 Roman-style pillars on the current Font Màgica de Montjuïc, also called the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, represent the 4 stripes on the Catalan flag. Furthermore, they represent the columns Cadafalch created a century ago in the same place. In 1928, the columns were knocked down because they were regarded as a Catalan symbol. The columns were rebuilt in his honour in 2010.
Montjuïc Light Fountain
Josep Puig Cadafalch’s work in Barcelona:
Barcelona is a beautiful city full of colour, art and history. Therefore, visiting this city is a tour of the extraordinary influencers of architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. Antoni Gaudí among other influencers on Barcelonian architecture are what make the city of Barcelona what it is today.
To read more Go to our website to read more about Barcelona’s architecture.
