Who Was Antoni Gaudi?

Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) was a Catalan modernist architect known internationally as a genius. He created his own style in the modernism of the time. His most famous work of art is the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, which is visited by millions of tourists every year.

He was inspired by nature and this can be seen in his designs.

His most famous contribution to art was the trencadis mosaic style. It is a technique that consists of joining together broken pieces of tiles. As he liked the round shapes of nature, and the square tiles weren’t the right shape, he thought it was easier to break them.

All his work has lots of unique characteristics.

The Dragon in Park Guell

This dragon has become symbolic of Gaudi’s work. It is made using the trencadis technique, which means it is made from broken pieces of tiles.This is very typical of Catalan modernism.

Trencadis in Gaudi’s Work

Detail of the dragon’s foot in Park Guell.In this image you can see the detail of the pieces of tiles, put together as if they were a jigsaw.

Trencadis: another detail in Park Guell.

Gaudi’s Bench

In this bench, you can clearly see how the trencadis technique works.

Chimneys in La Pedrera

Another characteristic of Gaudi’s work is his chimneys. These ones are in La Pedrera (also known as Casa Mila).

What do you think they represent?

The rooftop in La Pedrera has 30 chimneys.

What comes to your mind when you look at them?

Shapes in Nature that Inspired Gaudi

Shapes in Nature that Inspired Gaudi

Shapes in Nature that Inspired Gaudi

Shapes in Nature that Inspired Gaudi

Shapes in Nature that Inspired Gaudi

Chimneys in Casa Batllo

What do you think they represent?

Chimney at Guell Palace

What do you think it represents?

Chimneys at La Pedrera

What do you think they represent?

How are they made?

NatureGaudi thought of his work as an imitation of nature. In the inside, he imitated the adaptability of human beings and on the outside, he reflected movement.

What do you think this means?

What shape found in nature do you think it represents?

Shapes in Nature

What element from nature could be represented by this ceiling detail?

Park Guell

What can you see in these shapes?

Sagrada Familia Detail

What does this image represent to you?

Park Guell Benches

Look at the rounded shapes he used. They are meant to look natural, not man-made.

Do you think he has achieved this?

Windows

What do these windows suggest to you?

Park Guell Columns

What do you think these columns represent?

Doors

What do you see in this image?

Now you are familiar with some of the work of one of the most important modernist architects.And remember:

“Creative is not he who imagines, it’s he who makes you imagine.”

“To do things right you need: firstly, love; secondly, thetechnique.”Antoni Gaudí

Santiago Rodríguez