Gaudi: A Biography - Softcover

Hensbergen, Gijs Van

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006548784 ISBN 13: 9780006548782

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Synopsis

The first critical biography of one of the twentieth century’s greatest architects

At the time of his death in 1926, Antoni Gaudi was arguably the most famous architect in the world. He had created some of the greatest and most controversial masterpieces of modern architecture, that were as exotic as they were outrageous. A precurser to the other great Catalan artists Picasso, Dali and Bunuel, Gaudi created dramatically original and daring art that was to surpass and reinvent all that had gone before.

Gijs van Hensbergen’s book is a masterly biography, capturing both the power and importance of Gaudi’s work and the unique spirit of Catalan culture. In life and in death, Gaudi lived by extravagant gestures and a creativity that bordered on madness. Even his legendary death under a tram as he stepped back to admire his cathedral in Barcelona has the hint of absurdity and poetry.

Today, Gaudi has become an icon of artistic integrity and genius, for religious piety and for unstinting love for his homeland, Catalonia.

About this title

Review:

‘This book is written with immense sympathy and understanding for Gaudí himself and his work, but also for the cultural and political background. In its scope and ambition, its clarity and its feeling for the period and the personality, this book is the most definitive book on Gaudí which has yet been produced.’ Colm Toibin

'It is rare for the biography of an architect to be so human and so humorous. Gijs van Hensbergen has managed to recreate in his book that same combination of playfulness and seriousness which characterises Gaudí, and Barcelona. His infectious enthusiasm is conveyed through vibrant and witty prose. Altogether a delight.' Paul Preston

The Guardian:

"at the end of it I felt like jumping on a jet to Barcelona once again, imagination at full stretch, rosary in hand"

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0006548784
• ISBN 13: 9780006548782
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 408