Jeremy Casson is an art conservator with a passion for architecture. This article will look at the life and work of Antoni Gaudi and the architect and designer’s influence on the modernist movement.
Characterised by his flair for creating extravagant, shapeshifting structures that draw inspiration from a variety of sources, Antoni Gaudi was one of the most celebrated architects of the first half of the 20th century. Gaudi’s style draws on various movements, from Asian and Islamic Art to traditional Catalan architecture. Widely regarded as a pioneer of modernism and Art Nouveau, Gaudi is best known for his elaborate works across Barcelona, the most famous of which is Basílica de la Sagrada Família.
Antoni Gaudi was born in the Catalonian city of Reus in 1852. He drew inspiration from his family’s boiler-making business early in life. Reflecting on his work as an architect, Gaudi said he had the ability to feel and see the space because he was the son of a boiler maker, a man who makes a volume out of a surface, seeing the space before he begins working.
As a child, Antoni Gaudi suffered from health problems, leading him to spend extended periods at a summer home in the Spanish town of Riudoms. Here, he spent much of his time observing the natural world, with his experiences shaping his architectural style and laying the groundwork for the biomorphic forms for which the architect became renowned.
Antoni Gaudi graduated from Barcelona’s School of Architecture in 1879. Soon after graduating, he designed a display case for a Barcelona glove shop, with this early example of his work subsequently shown at the World’s Fair in Paris. In 1879, Gaudi received his first commission from Barcelona City Council when he was tasked with designing public lampposts that can still be seen across Pla del Palau and Plaça Reial today.
Gaudi’s first residential project came in 1883 when he was commissioned to construct Casa Vicens by financier Manuel Vicens i Montaner. Casa Vicens, which is situated on Carrer de les Carolines in Barcelona’s Gràcia neighbourhood, features slender minarets along with mesmerising arrangements of checkered tiles and bright red accents. Gaudi was subsequently commissioned to design a summer home for Máximo Díaz de Quijano. Situated in Comillas, El Capricho features a striking green and red tower, rounded walls and an ornate portico. Not long afterwards, Antoni Gaudi received his first commission from Eusebi Güell, the Barcelona entrepreneur who went on to become the most noteworthy patron of Gaudi’s work.
Gaudi’s most celebrated architectural masterpieces were constructed in the early part of the 20th century. Prominent projects from this period include Park Güell, which was constructed between 1900 and 1914, with the expansive gardens showcasing sculptures and architectural elements. Another prime example is Casa Batlló, which was initially created as a residential building, featuring iconic skeletal-like details on its façade as well as walkable roofs.
Sadly, Antoni Gaudi met an untimely end after being hit by a tram in 1926. Following a funeral in Barcelona that drew huge crowds, the renowned Spanish architect was buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Família. Seven of his structures, namely Casa Vicens, Casa Mila, Palacio Güell, Park Güell, the crypt in Colonia Güell, Casa Batlló and the Nativity façade and crypt of La Sagrada Família are today designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gaudi played a pioneering role in increasing the global profile of Catalan architecture, with his work characterised by his unique ability to synthesise tradition with innovative new technical advancements.
