Modernisme

Modernisme was an early 20th century Spanish movement whose followers included artists, poets, and - in particular - architects. Its most famous exponent was Anton Gaudi, a man who whose buildings are as much works of art as functional structures.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE PHOTOS

Architects allied to Modernisme claimed to reject Classical design and to draw their inspiration from nature, remodelling her along much the same lines as followers of The Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau. Whereas Gaudi truly emulated nature, creating buildings which seem almost organic, the majority of the Modernistas were considerably less inspired and some of their works are not much more than the old Classical apartment block clad in a floral frippery of fancy balconies and ornamental plaster.

Although Modernisme centred on Barcelona, it very soon became adopted by Spain's nouveau riche. The streets of Cartagena are full of mansions commissioned by entrepreneurs who had suddenly become very wealthy as a result of the local mining boom. The fashion also coincided with the expansion of Melilla, an enclave on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Until the last years of the 19th century this place had been contained within the walls of its citadel, but at this juncture it suddenly burst it seams and an entire town was built in the Modernista style.

Modernisme is invariably translated, by the writers of tourist pamphlets, as Modernism. Modernism is a different thing altogether.


• Items 1-9 of 24 • Next Page ›

• Items 1-9 of 24 • Next Page ›