Gaudi. The Complete Works

Antoni Gaudí's life was complex and contradictory, encompassing a Catalan nationalist movement, criticism of the church, and dedication to constructing La Sagrada Familia. His architecture reflected this complexity, blending influences from Orientalism, natural forms, new materials, and religious faith into a unique Modernista aesthetic. This book presents Gaudí's universe through new photography, plans, drawings, historical photos, and an appendix detailing his works, showcasing his craftsmanship and transforming fantastical visions into realities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

Antoni Gaudí's life was a complex tapestry of contradictions. As a young man, he embraced the Catalan nationalist movement, critiquing the church, and later dedicated himself entirely to constructing the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia. In his youth, he reveled in a glamorous social life, exuding a dandy-like demeanor. Tragically, his life came to an abrupt end in a tram accident in Barcelona, where his worn-out clothes led passersby to assume he was a beggar.

Gaudí's unparalleled architectural prowess encapsulates the depth of his multifaceted personality. His work, ranging from Casa Batlló's shimmering textures and skeletal forms to Casa Vicens' Hispano-Arabic matrix, seamlessly blended influences from Orientalism, natural forms, new materials, and religious faith into a distinctive Modernista aesthetic. Today, Gaudí's unique aesthetic resonates worldwide, earning him global popularity and acclaim. His magnum opus, the Sagrada Familia, stands as the most-visited monument in Spain, and seven of his works are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This captivating book offers a fresh perspective on Gaudí's universe, presenting his work through a combination of brand-new photography, plans, and drawings meticulously sourced from Gaudí's personal collection. Historical photos, alongside an appendix detailing all his works, including buildings, furniture, decor, and unfinished projects, provide a comprehensive exploration of his artistic oeuvre.

As we delve into the pages of this book, we embark on a personal tour of Barcelona, exploring how Gaudí transcended the boundaries of architecture. He was not merely a builder in the traditional sense; he was a visionary who transformed fantastical visions into tangible realities on the city streets. With meticulous attention to detail and a mesmerizing aesthetic, Gaudí created extraordinary constructions that showcased his unparalleled craftsmanship.

Through this captivating journey, we gain a deeper understanding of Gaudí's life, his influences, and his enduring legacy. His work continues to inspire and captivate generations, reminding us of the power of creativity and the ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Weight: 2942g
Dimension: 335 x 258 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836564465