Week 4.2-Art Nouveau in Barcelona and Austria
Against the Machine Movement
Key Concept: Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is a style that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by its organic forms, flowing lines, and intricate detailing.
Modern Architecture in Barcelona
Introduction to Catalan Modernism
The first signs of Modernism during the Art Nouveau period in Catalonia are referred to as Catalan Modernism.
This movement predates the Belgian Art Nouveau by several years.
Catalan Modernism appears to have been influenced independently by:
The publications of Viollet-le-Duc.
The Arts and Crafts Movement.
Rapid growth of Barcelona in the second half of the 19th century, even faster than that of Brussels.
Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí is a central figure in Catalan Modernism, representing the essence of Modern architecture in Barcelona.
Gaudí’s philosophy of architecture embodies the flowing rhythms of nature through Gothic features.
He conceived buildings as holistic forms, akin to a sculptor shaping a figure from clay.
Characteristics of Gaudí's Work
Gaudí's designs exhibit a form of free association, incorporating shapes reminiscent of:
Animal forms.
Vegetal structures.
Geological formations.
Example: The vault of the Church of Colonia Güell (1898–1914), illustrating these characteristics visually as
Comparisons to trees or spider webs.
Church of Colonia Güell
Recognized for its mysterious and surreal qualities, the church reflects Gaudí's reinterpretation of Gothic architecture influenced by biologically-inspired designs that appear to have "grown" in resonance with their environment.
Notable features include:
Use of a variety of bricks and stones with intricate detailing at joints.
Stained glass windows designed to mimic the shapes of flower petals or butterfly wings.
Assorted Architectural Techniques
Gaudí's architectural style encompasses:
Absence of straight lines.
Surfaces encrusted with colorful mosaics of stone.
Use of bright ceramic tiles.
Unique balcony forms and curvatures that surprise the eye.
The Casa Batlló (1904–1907) serves to exemplify these traits distinctly.
Casa Batlló
Highlights of the Casa Batlló:
Characterized by biomorphic lines and style.
Decorated with colorful mosaics of stone and ceramic tiles.
Curvilinear designs emphasize organic forms found in nature.
Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia is another monumental work by Gaudí in Barcelona.
Interior design mimics a natural forest with stone and branching columns resembling trees.
Gaudí employed various stone types and dimensions for the columns to optimize weight distribution throughout the structure.
The project has been under construction since 1852 and is projected for completion in 2026.
Structural Details
The Sagrada Familia features different column types, each supporting distinct sections of the building.
The varying designs of these columns connect with biomorphic design, enhancing their structural purpose while retaining aesthetic detail.
Gaudí's innovative approach to using columns and materials contributed to the exploration of new structural possibilities aligned with the Art Nouveau style.
Park Güell
Key aspects of Park Güell showcase:
Curvilinear form and structures.
Vibrant color arrangements through ceramic tiles.
Stone masonry work accentuating design fluidity.