Modernisme

The modernist or Modernist architecture (, Catalan modernism ') is a cultural and social renewal movement in the Catalan-speaking area, which found its expression in art, architecture, literature and music. International best known was the architectural style of about 1885 to 1920 in Catalonia, mainly in Barcelona, ​​developed, whose main representative was Antoni Gaudí. This movement sprang from a disgust at the neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque aesthetics of the 19th century and ended with a turn toward architectural rationalism in the 20s and 30s of the 20th century. Although the modernist part of the Art Nouveau style is a flow detected across Europe, this movement received in Catalonia has its own character and may be developed into the most advanced form of Art Nouveau.

Modernism in the European context

Simultaneously with the movement in Catalonia has Art Nouveau developed in other parts of Europe and in some cases also in America. The substantially parallel developments were Arts & Crafts in England, Jugendstil in Germany, Art Nouveau in Belgium (Victor Horta ) and France ( Guimard ), Vienna Secession ( Otto Wagner) in Austria etc.

Towards the end of the 19th century showed itself in Europe reinforces the tendency to break with the traditional features of the architecture and look for the appropriate 20th century designs. This urge arose from the industrial revolution and the dissemination of their developments such as the steam engine, railways and electricity. This changed the lives of the population principle and led to a growth of cities, where settled industries and civic structures were formed. The Modernisme ( Art Nouveau and in general) is, therefore, an urban and bourgeois style.

From 1906 the Modernisme was replaced by the Catalan form of neoclassicism or rationalism, the noucentisme. Their representatives accused the Modernisme to be an anarchic and decadent art form. In contrast to the " romantic chaos " Modernista they supported the order, clarity, harmony, the degree and rationality in architecture.

Traditional materials and techniques in Catalonia

Modernism rejected the unattractive industrial architecture of the first half of the 19th century from and developed new architectural concepts on the basis of "naturalness" and "movement". This is especially evident in the materials and techniques from the Catalonia region, the building forms and the design of the facades. A special feature is the so-called " Catalan vault " in ceiling structures or stairways. The bricks are masonry on its broad side in the bow with quick drying plaster self-supporting. Then, one or more additional layers is applied with mortar on this sufficiently solid sheet. The facades of the buildings are often decorated with decorative elements such as birds, butterflies, leaves and flowers of stone or ceramic. The windows and balcony railings are often made of wrought iron and have predominantly from nature inspired motifs on.

Bourgeoisie and patronage

The development of Modernism in Catalonia has been driven by the middle classes, who regarded himself as Catalan, cultured and art connoisseur. It was the culture of the Renaixença in a modern and national culture convert and opened willingly to the modernist, but allowed all its manifestations such as architecture, sculpture, painting, furniture or jewelry the inclusion of art into everyday life. Thus, the Modernist developed the symbol of the economic power and a new openness to the world of the Catalan bourgeoisie.

Barcelona and Modernism

Simultaneously with the rise of Modernism, the constricting walls of Barcelona were demolished and taken the urban expansion in the Eixample in attack. Therefore can easily find numerous witnesses of this architectural style, and Barcelona is one of the cities with the most Art Nouveau buildings in the world. The town became an artistic center. Painters and writers of the Modernist as Ramon Casas and Santiago Rusiñol met in the local artist Els Quatre Gats. The possibility of using this architecture to satisfy the desire for modernity to express the Catalan identity and to show in a discreet way his wealth, then explains the widespread patronage of the upper classes, such as between Eusebi Güell and Gaudí.

From Antoni Gaudi several famous buildings can be seen in Barcelona. These include, among others, the Casa Milà (La Pedrera ), the Palau Güell, Parc Guell, Casa Batllo, Casa Vicens, Casa Calvet and the still unfinished church Church of the Sagrada Família, is built on the 1882, designed by Gaudi. Since 1984 and 2005, these buildings are World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since 1997, two buildings designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and the Palau de la Música Catalana apply for World Heritage in Barcelona.

Els Quatre Gats

The artistic world of Modernism created her center in Els Quatre Gats ('The Four hangover '), a bar in the style of Le Chat Noir in Paris. The bar on the ground floor of Casa Martí by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch was opened in June 1897, funded by the painter and graphic artist Ramon Casas. The bar was open for six years. In 1978 she was re-opened.

The business partners were Pere Romeu, Santiago and Miquel Utrillo Rusinol. A bar lectures and art exhibitions were held, including one of the first of Pablo Picasso. The most famous painting of the bar is the self-portrait of Casas with Romeu on a tandem bicycle, which was replaced in 1901 by Casas 'painting from 1901 Commençaments del sailing XX (, early 20th century '). The 208 × 291 cm large painting shows here Casas and Romeu with the Terrier Ziem on an automobile of the brand Charrot. Both paintings are located since 2010 at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya ( MNAC ), the National Museum of Catalan Art in Barcelona.

Just as Le Chat Noir also published the artists of Els Quatre Gats own literary magazine, but had only a short life.

Important representatives of Modernism

Among the more than 100 architects, created the monuments of Modernism, are particularly noteworthy mainly three:

  • Antoni Gaudí
  • Lluís Domènech i Montaner
  • Josep Puig i Cadafalch

Other important architects of Modernism:

Ruta del Modernisme

The Ruta del Modernisme is propagated by the city council of Barcelona Route 116 selected works from the Modernisme in the urban area. It offers a good cross- section through the work of various architects.

Sagrada Família Hector Guimard Hospital de Sant Pau
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