Gaudí
Catalan modernist designer
Antoni Gaudí was a Catalan architect whose fantastical buildings define Barcelona's skyline.
His work—the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Park Güell—features organic curves, broken-tile mosaics, and elaborate facades that reject straight lines.
Gaudí's name evokes architectural exuberance bordering on the surreal: The building looked like something Gaudí might have dreamed up.
Catalan capital city
- CataloniaAutonomous northeastern Spanish community
- regional identityGeographic community's shared self-concept
- nationalistOne prioritizing homeland interests
- MediterraneanSea between Europe, Africa, Asia
patron saint · bourgeoisie · industrialist · civic pride · cultural revival · heritage · UNESCO
Famous incomplete Barcelona basilica
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- organic formsShapes resembling living things
- hyperboloidRevolved conic section solid
- parabolicShaped like a conic section
façade · spires · columns · vaults · naturalistic · undulating · ceramic · ironwork
Curvilinear decorative movement, 1890s
- organicFrom living matter
- biomorphicResembling living organism shapes
- sculpturalRelating to carved forms
- curvilinearCharacterized by curved lines
polychrome · fantastical · whimsical · ornamental · decorative · sinuous · flowing · asymmetrical
Hardened clay objects
- wrought ironSoft, workable decorative metal
- stained glassColored window art
- woodworkCraft of building with lumber
- tileFlat surface-covering piece
stone · brick · plaster · collaboration · guilds · artisans · workshops · scale models
Papal church adherent
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- liturgicalOf public worship rites
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
crucifixion · Passion · Glory · saints · apostles · evangelists · rosary · faith
Barcelona
Catalan capital city
- CataloniaAutonomous northeastern Spanish community
- regional identityGeographic community's shared self-concept
- nationalistOne prioritizing homeland interests
Mediterranean · patron saint · bourgeoisie · industrialist · civic pride · cultural revival · heritage · UNESCO
Sagrada Família
Famous incomplete Barcelona basilica
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- organic formsShapes resembling living things
- hyperboloidRevolved conic section solid
parabolic · façade · spires · columns · vaults · naturalistic · undulating · ceramic · ironwork · stained glass
Art Nouveau
Curvilinear decorative movement, 1890s
- organicFrom living matter
- biomorphicResembling living organism shapes
- sculpturalRelating to carved forms
curvilinear · polychrome · fantastical · whimsical · ornamental · decorative · sinuous · flowing · asymmetrical · innovative
ceramics
Hardened clay objects
- wrought ironSoft, workable decorative metal
- stained glassColored window art
- woodworkCraft of building with lumber
tile · stone · brick · plaster · collaboration · guilds · artisans · workshops · scale models · maquettes
Catholic
Papal church adherent
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- liturgicalOf public worship rites
symbolism · crucifixion · Passion · Glory · saints · apostles · evangelists · rosary · faith · mysticism
trees
Woody plants with trunks
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- shellsProtective outer layers
- honeycombsHexagonal wax structures
waves · spirals · branching · skeletal · forest · light · leaves · mountain · cave · coral
GaudíInternational Style
Functionalist architecture movement, 1920s
minimalist architecture · minimalism · Bauhaus · brutalism · functionalism
Gaudífunctionalism
Theory emphasizing purposes and roles
form follows function · utilitarian design · rationalism · less is more · industrial design
Gaudíminimalism
Aesthetic of reduction
minimalist · austerity · spareness · simplicity · restraint