The life of Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926) was full of difficulties and contradictions. In his youth, he joined the Catalan nationalist movement and was critical of the church; until the end of his life, he completely devoted himself to the construction of an amazing church - the Church of the Holy Family. In his youth, he led the glamorous lifestyle of a real dandy. But at the time of the architect's death as a result of a tram accident on the streets of Barcelona, his clothes were so old that passers-by mistook him for a beggar.
Gaudí's incomparable architecture conveys much of this multifaceted personality. From the shimmering surface textures and skeletal forms of the House of Batlleau to the Hispano-Arabic matrix of the House of Vicens, his works harmoniously absorbed the influence of Orientalism, natural forms, new materials and religious faith, and transformed them into a unique modernist aesthetic. Today, his buildings enjoy worldwide popularity and recognition; his largest work, the Cathedral of the Holy Family, is considered the most visited architectural monument in Spain, and seven of the master's works were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Featuring expertly written texts and hundreds of color illustrations, including new photographs, this book presents Gaudí's creative legacy. Like a private tour of Barcelona, we explore its residential, religious and public projects. We see how Dante from the world of architecture became a creator in the literal sense of the word, building unusual structures from the smallest details that fascinate, turning fantastic visions into the reality of city streets.
