Art Appreciation: The Unique Architecture of Antoni Gaudí

This session is an introduction to the extraordinary work and life of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1862-1926). We will first focus on where he came from and where he trained and study some of his earliest realisations, such as the Casa Vincens in Barcelona. In this first part, you will learn about the “Catalan renaissance”, which provides a cultural context in which to understand some of Gaudí’s work. In a second part, we will focus on some iconic buildings designed by Gaudí, such as the Palau Güell, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and the Park Güell. As we study their architecture, the use of trencadís, of wrought-iron, stained-glass and ceramic, but also some pieces of furniture he designed, we will identify the forms and ideas that came to define Gaudí’s architecture as unique. Beyond regionalism, nature and spirituality will appear as two important sources of inspiration. Finally, in the third part, we will focus on the Sagrada Familia, an unfinished masterpiece of religious architecture. We will discuss Gaudí’s designs and ideas, what he managed to realise and how his work has been continued up to this day.