Contemporary Architecture In Barcelona

Taking a look at contemporary Architecture in modern day Barcelona, one can simply not ignore the influence the Modernisme period had on the city. With Barcelona's most famous Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi, reigning from this era, the city's most popular buildings such as the Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera are a few examples of timeless architecture that are monumental products of Modernisme. To understand the demographics and cultural aspects that led to the birth and continuation of Modernisme, you have to look at the political status of Spain and more specifically Barcelona in 1874. This time marks the fall of the first Spanish Republic and the beginning of a social segregation between the progressive liberals and the local proletariat.

An example of this ideology in Gaudi's work would be his use of the double or even sometimes triple facade. Another theme commonly found in Modernisme architecture is the addition of historicism and eclecticism. In Barcelona, this led to borderline anarchism with architects depicting religious and social symbols that represented secession from Spain. The biggest example of this rebellious trait in Modernisme art is the Catalan knight Saint Jordi and the scene of him slaying a dragon. His sculptor can be seen incorporated in many Barcelona Modernisme buildings and represents Catalans call for independence. Along with the political aspect of Modernisme art, the era also saw a simplistic and humble call to nature. Architects like Gaudi found inspiration in the living world around them and used its geometry and appeal to add new outlooks on the appreciation of nature to his buildings. This can be seen at Casa Batllo with exterior pillars that mimic human leg bones and at Parc Guell which has been described as a, “Garden City” due its colorful mosaics and

Reading about the history and how it started, and then looking at how it progressed and what factors led to it being an era that produced so many masterpieces. A fascination I acquired from the reading was definitely the in depth descriptions of Gaudi’s work but also the mention in the end about Josep Puig. I know where suppose to be learning about Gaudi right now, but learning about another architect of Gaudi’s time that was really cut from the same artistic cloth was interesting. A personality aspect of Gaudi that I learned about in the reading that I hadn't realized before was his wit. After learning about his dealings with the government on many occasions regarding his buildings, I have grown to love his sense of humor and rebellious passion for his work. All artist are passionate people but every time I learn something new about Gaudi, i'm amazed at his work ethic to get the job done but also do the job right. He wasn't a pre-Madonna but he was famous for always having an idea in his head and committing to that idea with all his artistic