Modernismo: Architecture and Design in Spain [Hardcover]

Borja De Riquer I Permanier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2003

Catalan modernismo, a cultural and artistic style of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, was the Spanish equivalent of the Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau, the German Werkbund and the Viennese Secession. The common denominator of these movements was the ambition to develop a new concept of beauty based on the creative essence of humankind. This comprehensive study, containing a wealth of information not previously available in English, focuses on all aspects of modernismo. Insightful essays discuss the geographic focus of modernismo, Catalonia and its vibrant capital city, Barcelona, and its historical and social context. Architecture was greatly influenced by modernismo, and various practitioners -- Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Josep Puig i Cadafalch -- developed personal styles based on patterns inspired by nature. Painting, sculpture, and music were equally affected by the times, moving away from academicism and toward spontaneous and personal creative impulses. All essays are extensively illustrated with spectacular color photographs, showing modernismo's most important buildings, such as Gaudí's Sagrada Familia and Palau Güell; intricate furniture, stained glass, and jewelry; graphic design, notably periodicals and sheet music; and a portfolio of paintings.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Borja de Riquer i Permanyer is a professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Like the other authors, he has written extensively on the period of modernismo in Spain.

About the Author

Borja de Riquer i Permanyer is a professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Like the other authors, he has written extensively on the period of modernismo in Spain.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: The Monacelli Press (December 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580931111
• ISBN-13: 978-1580931113
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 4.8 x 12.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,741,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, December 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Modernismo: Architecture and Design in Spain (Hardcover)

I've always been interested in Gaudi, but was not aware of the variety and breadth of work done by other Catalonian architects around the same time. I don't know why this work is not better known, but should be studied by all who are interested in the arts--sculptors, painters, designers, musicians, and of course architects.

While it is hard not to just look at the pictures, the text is interesting (although at times dense). But I found that if I didn't get too mired down most of the essays were worthwhile, especially the one that related to art and painting. As a former art history student I was surprised by how impressed I was with many of the paintings in the book--from artists I hadn't heard of.

All in all this is a very high quality book and would be a great gift for anyone you know with an interest in art, architecture, modernism, or Spanish culture. Highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not just a paean to gaudi et al, March 5, 2004

By 

"artificialeye" (washington dc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modernismo: Architecture and Design in Spain (Hardcover)

unbelievably beautiful! the impact of the Art Nouveau movement known in spain as Modernismo, had great bearing on the look of barcelona as a modernizing city in the early 20th century. the book is also a sharp tour guide of some of the great architectural works of a city that is brimming with incredible examples of the decorative arts. if youve been/youre going to barcelona or love nouveau/deco design-this is a must have!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, May 5, 2008

By 

J. Combs "acecombs" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modernismo: Architecture and Design in Spain (Hardcover)

For those (like me) who thought that Gaudi was the penultimate Spanish architect (I placed Calatrava a close second), this book is an eye-opener. The work here is amazing and hopefully will lead to more being written about these somewhat unsung heroes, especially Lluis Doménech i Montaner.