Antoni Gaudi is the true essence of Barcelona. One cannot travel to this beautiful Spanish city, without truly experiencing all things Gaudi. He was a true artist, famous for his Modernist Style of architect.
Guadi attends Escola Tecnica Superior d'Arquitectura
Gaudi was born on the 25th of June 1852. He was a student at the Barcelona School, Escola Tecnica Superior d’Arquitectura from 1873 to 1877. He was not what one would call an exceptional student, but he always quite enjoyed his projects and drawings.
In 1878, Gaudi was awarded the title of architect, and as he signed the titles, Elies Rogent proclaimed, “Qui sap si hem donat el diploma a un boig o a un geni: el temps ens ho dirà," which means "Who knows whether we have given this diploma to a nut or to a genius. Time will tell."
Gaudi, with his love for architecture, began his designs, and also would remain for the rest of his life, affiliated with the Escola Tecnica Superior d’Arquitectura.
Gaudi's love for nature
As well as architecture, Gaudi had an extreme passion for all things nature. He put himself on water therapies, was on a strict vegetarian diet, and enjoyed many long hikes. This also allowed himself to be fully immersed in nature. With Gaudi’s architecture it is very easy to see nature’s influence on his work, from the steel vines, to metal leaves. Nature is a very important part to Gaudi’s works.
Gaudi’s earlier work is very much designed in the gothic style of architecture as well as traditional Catalan styles. But it was not too long after, that he began to go with his own unique architectural style. An interesting detail Gaudi loved to include, is that he would love to paint his doors red, as red was his very favorite color.
The Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is probably one of Gaudi’s most famous works. Gaudi actually spent about ten years studying designs, and trying to develop new structural calculations by using small sacks of pellets and cords. Gaudi outlined the church in a 1:10 scale on a piece of wood, which he would then place on the ceiling of a small house next to the actual workplace. Gaudi then hung small sacks of pellets from the ceiling, and began to construct his church upside-down. Photographs were taken from every angle, and the exact shape of the church was then obtained by turning the pictures upside-down. Everything was exact and precise, which just goes to prove the brilliance of Gaudi’s elementary and very creative methods when dealing with his architecture.
The Sagrada Familia is again one of Gaudi’s prized works of art. Being a devout catholic, he designed the church with this in mind. He created 18 towers; 12 were for the 12 apostles, four were for the four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), one was for Mary, and one was for Jesus.
Visitors to Barcelona today inevitably stumble upon a work of art by the talented Antoni Gaudi. His works are a true wonder, born of true creativity. Many tourists travel to Barcelona solely to witness this great architect's works of art. They are masterpieces in every sense, and Gaudi’s legacy will remain for the world to see, for quite some time. Gaudi is Barcelona.
