Gaudí: The Man and His Work [Hardcover]

Joan Bergós (Author), Marc Llimargas (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 1999

Since the late 1800s, Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi's fanciful buildings have defined Barcelona's cityscape and created startling architectural forms that paralleled the development of Art Nouveau. His playful spires and towers, undulating tiled roofs, and writhing chimneys loom like fantastical creatures atop commercial and apartment buildings alike, and his sculptures are an integral component of many of the city's parks and public spaces. Published in Catalan in the 1950s and now translated into English, this is a biography of his life and work, based on the endeavours of the architect Joan Bergos Masso. From first-hand experience, we learn about Gaudi's thought processes, discoveries about art and technique and personal remembrances and are given an insight into one of the master architects of this century.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish

About the Author

Joan Bergos Masso, architect, painter and writer was born in 1894 and studied at Barcelona's school of architecture. He collaborated with Gaudi on some of his works and after his master's death, continued the monumental undertaking of the Sagrada Familia. He died in 1974.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (October 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821226274
• ISBN-13: 978-0821226278
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 9.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great information, April 10, 2001

By 

Shorty "jillshari" (Owings Mills, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gaudí: The Man and His Work (Hardcover)

I just got back from a wonderful vacation to Barcelona, Spain. It was during my research for the trip that I came upon Gaudi and the architectural influence that he had on the city of Barcelona. I actually purchased the book before I went on vacation but I wanted to read it afterwards. From the intimate details that discuss the life of Gaudi and all the information I received on my trip from guided tours of the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera (Casa Mila), and Guell Park, I have an amazing appreciation for Gaudi.

Also, the pictures in this book are excellent and are much more detailed than the ones that I was able to take. They make a great addition to my visual explanations of my trip.

I would recommend this book if either you are going to Barcelona, or have been there. But I would also think that it would be good for someone who is just interested in architecture or the history of someone who changed the face of Barcelona permanently.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can really appreciate Gaudi, July 18, 2000

By 

Joshua (Yellow Springs, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gaudí: The Man and His Work (Hardcover)

Although this is translated from its original version this is still a masterpiece of a biography. You receive a beatiful pictoral view of Gaudi's work that can only be upstaged by a visit to Barcelona. Joan Bergos gives a much appreciated glance a the life of this intriguing and innovative architect.

5 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My grand grand father's legacy., April 9, 2001

By 

Oriol Ribera (Barcelona, Spain.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gaudí: The Man and His Work (Hardcover)

Dear customer, My grand grand father firstly met Gaudi at the architecture faculty of Barcelona and from then on they maintained a friendship that lasted for years. From the knowledge of Gaudi's personality and works, Joan Bergos wrote this book on the 50's, about 30 years after the death of Gaudi. Since then on, his book has been published in several languages such as English, Italian, French, German, Catalonian and Spanish. The English version of this edition has a prologue of his grand son Jordi Ribera Bergos.