Antoni Gaudi

“A glimpse into the world of God’s favorite architect”

Shane Sanderson

Professor Wahid

April 1st, 2015

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Early Life

On June 25, 1852 in Reus, Spain, Antoni Gaudi was not only born, but also a new and eccentric piece

of artistry was birth to the world of creativity.

There are endless words that could be shed upon a human’s life; the ways of their life. But when it comes to

the core of values, and what ought to be cherish, are those elements the individual, themselves, offered the

world and the inhabitants thereof. Art is a wonder. Art could come in any form and the expression capacity

knows no limit. With that wonder, Antoni Gaudi has given us a gift so delicate.

“There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore, buildings must have no straight

lines or sharp corners.”

Gaudi, from his documented quotes, seems to have been a good man of faith. He is perceived to be an

individual who had great faith in his God.

“The straight line belongs to men, the curved one to God.”

Certain words that he uses are very artistic. And with that he responds to his audience through works where

his expression, not only astonishes the world, but speaks of his personal persona within.

Through the finer detail of his structures he leaves the mind shattered and lost for words as the emphasis

carries the feel & mood through his buildings.

Gaudi’s architecture history begins with him moving to Barcelona where he was enrolled at

Provincial School of Architecture. As it is documented in newworldenclyclopedia.org, Antoni Gaudi was the

average type of student. And the ironic part of this section of his life is his diploma. Elies Rogent, director of

Provincial School of Architecture, wrote on his diploma “Qui sap si hem donat el diploma a un boig o a un

geni: el temps ens ho dirà" ("Who knows if we have given this diploma to a nut or to a genius. Time will tell.")

Surely, Antoni Gaudi’s works have surpass more than an appreciative response to his diploma’s saying.

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Sagrada Familia (1882-Present)

One of Antoni’s greatest works is Sagrada Familia. Located in Barcelona this masterpiece stands 558

feet, lies 312 feet long, and is 197 feet wide - in completion. Yes, construction began over a century ago and

is still ongoing. As new architects take charge to carry out Gaudi’s vision, it is predicted that the building will

be completed within the next 50 years; and some say it will be another 150 years.

An interesting element of this project is the symbolism Antoni Gaudi uses to construct the Sagrada

Familia. “…. There should be 18 towers: one for each of the 12 apostles, one for each of the 8 evangelists,

one representing the Virgin Mary, and the highest tower in honor of Jesus.” This piece is so magnificent in

detail that this entire report would take the amount of duration of a novel. The enormous structure has no

straight edges as to create an association with nature; having a stability as that to a natural way.

“Nothing is art if it does not come from nature.” – Antoni Gaudi

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El Capricho (1883-1885)

Construction on the El Capricho carried from 1883 to 1885. As a project for a summer house Gaudi

took the soon-to be owner’s love of music and implemented the taste of expressions into the construction;

the windows, and the walls. This masterpiece is located in Comillas, Spain.

As you observe the house in its entirety, the detail is once again, the true vine of this wonder. The

tiles are elegant and give off this crude thirst of complexity.

The proud owner of the El Capricho is [was] Maximo Diaz.

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Casa Vicens (1883-1888)

Made as a single family unit, the Casa Vicens was one of Gaudi’s first works. Like most of his

buildings the details are placed with extreme emphasis. The colors are upon a broad spectrum ranging with

the bright primary to the collective of rich mixtures in between.

According to about.com this project was Antoni Gaudi’s first commission in Barcelona in 1883. As the

original motive of being built, the family house was recently bought on the market to be turned into a

museum for both tourist attraction and local gratuity. Casa Vicens has all of Gaudi’s famous signatures

incorporated- bright colors, and “extensive Valencia tile work”.

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Episcopal Palace of Astorga (1883-1913)

The Episcopal Palace of Astorga, Spain was built within the years 1889-1893. It did not open until

1915.

Along with the artistry of the building, the history also play a major role with the descriptive side.

With the old Episcopal Palace burning down years before, Antoni Gaudi was asked, having friendship with

Palau Güell, to build the next Episcopal. The building in its entirety is yet another astonishment from the

crafts of Gaudi. However, this certain piece does not contain much color as that of most of Gaudi’s works.

Taking an initiative to grow as an artist Gaudi took the path of less color expressiveness on the outdoors

appearance.

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Güell Pavilions (1884-1887)

“The so-called Pavellons Güell, or Güell Pavilions, is a complex of buildings in the neighborhood of

Pedralbes, Barcelona.” Constructing between 1884 and 1887, Antoni Gaudi was setting up the world another

piece of architectural beauty. The art motives of this particular project has an interesting outline:

“…He planned an ashlar wall with several gates, of which the main gate would be a wrought-iron

grille in the shape of a dragon, with glass eyes; it represented Ladon, offspring of Typhus, the dragon

that guarded the Garden of the Hesperides, which was overcome by Hercules as one of his twelve

labours… Over the dragon there is an antimony orange-tree, another allusion to the Hesperides. The

shape of the dragon corresponds with the position of the stars in the Serpens constellation, because

Ladon was turned into a snake as a punishment for stealing the oranges…”

Taking that description, when looking at a sky view of the area, a distinction can be made (See image below).

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Franciscan Missions (1892 unbuilt)

Antoni Gaudi has buildings that, after construction, were immediately considered marvels of the

world. And of course he also has one still being constructed today, the Sagrada Familia; but he also has

buildings that were not constructed, and one of those is the Franciscan Missions.

1892-93 Morocco, there lives a vision of a brotherly Sagrada Familia that is seen in all its beauties,

but for the naked eye nothing but pure bits of air [emptiness]. While traveling though Andalusia with a fellow

architect Gaudi started on a project that would, yet again, astonish the world. Gaudi’s structure was

approved to be built but for some unknown precise reason, the Franciscan Missions was not built.

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Hotel Attraction (1908 unbuilt)

To add to Antoni Gaudi’s list of unconstructed buildings is a North American-based dream; the Hotel

Attraction. Ealr 1900’s Antoni Gaudi designed a futuristic building to center New York City with the tallest

building in America. Plans were laid out and the building was set to possess several amenities. Not only would

it be a hotel, but also contain the following: art galleries; a live acoustic theatre; an exhibition halls; six floors

of restaurants; and a “space” tower where a total of 30 people would be able to get a sky view of the grand

New York City.

Unfortunately, the nearly 1000 feet tall building was put on a halt, and the building was not

constructed. The main reason is still not known as to why Hotel Attraction did not start its construction, but

there are several stories that linger. According to NY Curbed, there was some dispute in terms of motives

between that of Antoni Gaudi and the business men he was working with. The other legend is Antoni Gaudi

fell into illness resulting in him cancelling the extravaganza.

What a masterpiece it would have been. A sight; a culture reference; and a core for the world of

architecture.

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Death Of Antoni Gaudi ( 10 June, 1926 )

It is said that during the final period of Gaudi’s life he suffered much of what is known a trauma.

Many family members and close friends were passing away within a short spectrum of years. But notably

Gaudi did not let the sad news of his family and friends’ deaths disrupt his life in terms of architecture. Not

quite 80 in age, Gaudi died, and many accounts state he was hit [deliberately] by a tram.

The world was blessed to have such an artist with so great of energy; so much talent; and so much

soul.

He would be buried within the Sagrada Famillia where half of Barcelona would go to pay their

respects to a “man of buildings; God’s favorite architect”.

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“Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator.”

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Cite Works

Early Lifewww.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/226989/Antoni-Gaudiwww.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Antoni_Gaudi

Sagrada Familiawww.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/docs_instit/arquitectura_c.phpwww.world-insider.com/top-10-interesting-facts-of-the-sagrada-familia-in-barcelona/www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/antoni_gaudi.html

El Caprichowww.antonigaudi.org/el-capricho-1883-85-115.htmlen.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/El_Caprichowww.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g642214-d1980474-r221797699-El_Capricho_de_Gaudi-Comillas_Cantabria.html

Casa Vicensarchitecture.about.com/od/greatbuildings/ig/Antoni-Gaud-/Casa-Vicens.htm

Episcopal Palace of Astorgawww.gaudiexperiencia.com/architecture-work/episcopal-palace-astorga

Güell Pavilionsen.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCell_Pavilions

Franciscan Missionswww.gaudiexperiencia.com/projects-never-carried-out/franciscan-missions

Hotel Attractionny.curbed.com/archives/2013/06/24/antoni_gaudis_fantastical_futuristic_1908_hotel_attraction.php

Death Of Antoni Gaudiwww.gaudiclub.com/ingles/i_vida/i_vida5.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoni_Gaud%C3%AD

Quoteswww.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/antoni_gaudi.html

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