Barcelona Art Nouveau - Hardcover

Permanyer, Lluis

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Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0847822206 ISBN 13: 9780847822201

Publisher: Rizzoli, 1999

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London is famous for Big Ben; Paris for the Eiffel Tower; Rome for the Colosseum. Barcelona, on the other hand, is not identified by one or two famous buildings as these other European cities, but rather by an entire movement of turn-of-the-century architecture known simply as Modernisme. Familiar to Americans as art nouveau, its most famous practitioner was the artist and architect Antoni Gaudi. But the city is filled with superb examples of art nouveau in vivid color in Barcelona Art Nouveau.

This book offers a tour of 46 houses, public buildings, and monuments in the art-nouveau style, including brand-new photographs of the work of Gaudi. Visit the famous literary cafe Els Quarte Gats, which was once patronized by Pablo Picasso, who also designed the menu. Lose yourself in the whimsical curves of Casa Josep Batllo, a wonderful example of the combination of artisan tradition and richness that exemplifies art nouveau.

These structures, fully restored to pristine condition for the 1992 Olympics, have been rediscovered by both foreigners and Barcelonans alike, and are captured inside and out in this fascinating record of the adventurous, undulating designs of an exciting era.

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About the Author:

Barcelona-born Lluis Permanyer is the author of several books, including Gaudi of Barcelona (Rizzoli, 1997).

Melba Levick has been the photographer for many Rizzoli books including Casa California (1996), Gaudi of Barcelona (1997), and Japanese Style gardens of the Pacific Northwest (1999). She has also photographed the city of Barcelona for numerous books.

From Library Journal:

This visually stunning work focuses on the crowning architectural wonders of Modernisme--the Catalan version of Art Nouveau--located in the Eixample quadrant of Barcelona. Highlighted are 46 of the most outstanding turn-of-the-19th-century houses, public buildings, and monuments in this unique style, created by some of the most notable architects of that period, including Domenech, Gaudi, Puig, and Sagnier. The "stars" of this book are the glorious, clear photographs by Levick, which show not only the composition and fine details of the buildings, including sgraffiti, intricate carvings, undulating lines, decorative tile, and wrought-iron features, but also the aesthetic differences and patterns in light and shadow. The text by Permanyer (Gaud! of Barcelona, Rizzoli, 1997) is ample for some buildings but severely lacking for others and leaves the reader begging for more information on the architects highlighted. Also included are 15 additional noteworthy buildings and structures and, for travelers, a map showing a predetermined Art Nouveau tour of the buildings. Recommended for general architecture and design collections.
-Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tennessee State Univ. Libs., Johnson City
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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