Modernisme

When was the Modernisme movement?

late 1880s to 1910

When and why was Barcelona the capital?

10th-15th century and was a major port/ economic centre

What was the catalyst to Barcelona’s decline?

the uniting of Aragon and Castile, trade shifts to Madrid, which becomes the new capital.

What was the reaper’s war?

1640-59: an uprising of the Catalan peasants, which was their struggle for independence, it wasn’t successful.

What was the war of the Spanish succession, and what effects did it have?

1701-14: the habsburgs vs the bourbon family, Catalan sided with the former, who lost. a military citadel was place and their language was repressed.

What changed for Catalonia in the 18-19th century?

It became the first industrial city of Spain, with the first railroad. There was also a lot of trade in textiles/ cotton

What impact did the changes in the 18th century have on the people of Catalonia?

It created a wealthy middle class, and a Renaixenca movement

What and when was la renaixenca?

1830s-1880s: Catalan searching for a national identity, through the arts and literature. Romantic cultural nationalism

The Origin of the Coat of Arms of the House of Barcelona

Claudio Lorenzale, 1843-44: depicts the Frankish king dragging blood down the shield of Wilfried when he asks for a coat of arms. This is where the Catalan flag emerged

When was the term Modernisme coined, and what does it mean?

1884: describes the wanting to be more modern, less romantic, and more cosmopolitan

Cafe Restaurant

1878 Luis Domenech i Montaner: early phase of modern architecture, with references to a Valencia palace and islamic architecture

The interior of Cafe Restaurant

moves away from renaixenca, working with glass/steelmakers and sculptors to integrate architecture and ornamentation.

The Palace of Music

Montaner 1905-8: glass and ceramics re used to integrate audience and stage. Has 9 muses of the arts on the back, and two sculptures - the ride of the valkyries and may flowers.

Who was Anoint Gaudi?

An architect interested in forming a distinct Spanish style that was also universally accepted

The Casa Vicens

Gaudi, 1883-5: inspired by 15th century mansions, includes advanced polychromy, and a double facade to integrate outdoor and indoor. The moorish smoking room linking to Spain’s islamic heritage

What categorises Gaudi’s early style?

He breaks up the whole and enhances the fragments. There is a change of ideas and themes in a collage

What and when was Barcelona’s ‘Golden Age’?

1890s-1910s: The emerging middle class has aristocratic aspirations, leading to display of wealth in architecture

Casa Amattler:

1900 Cadafalch: for a chocolate manufacturer, draws on historical architecture to allude to Amatller’s identity (St George, animals pouring chocolate, a camera, ‘A’ above the window)

Casa Batillo

1904-6 Gaudi: for a textile manufacturer much more modern, hardly any corners, like being inside a dragon or a whale, which changes from pale to dark blue when looking from the top. The walls are covered with mosaic and relates to St George slaying the dragon.

Gaudi on Catalans and objects:

they have a natural sense of plasticity, objects do not mislead but instruct them

What is Catalan identity in reference to architecture?

The social new upper class, Catholicism and nationalism with St George

What are the characteristics of Modernisme in painting?

It depicts everyday life and satire which as considered a novelty.

What are two Spanish Modernisme painters?

Rusinol and Casas

How did modernism influence Picasso’s style?

There was intellectual exchange in Barcelona, Picasso depicts marginalised people in his ‘blue period’ (Old guitarist 1904)