Modernist and Impressionist Movements
Modernism
Typical of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and adopted elsewhere, Modernism was a movement of architectural emancipation. This youthful, optimistic style favored decorative elements inspired by nature.
Preferences included curved surfaces, large openings and gaps, viewpoints, and balconies. It disregarded symmetry and embraced the natural colors of materials like iron and trimmed wood.
Eiffel Tower
Type: Eiffel iron architecture, monument, commemorative structure.
Structure: Made of metallic iron fastened with bolts. Pyramid shape divided into four parts separated by three platforms. The structure’s rectangular pillars are inclined and rest on eight hydraulic jacks, each attached to four arches. The first half of the pillars have a wider base. Above them are four legs without inward inclination until the second platform. Inside, there are stairs, elevators, restaurants, shops, and a museum.
The Tassel House
Type: Single-family home.
Overview: Presents a unique facade to the street, with a central glass window winding outwards, flanked by narrow, elongated forms. The three-story building is structured internally. Series of windows separated by stone columns stand out. Inside, the layout is distributed on three floors accessible via a staircase starting at the vestibule. The first floor has a garden, foyer, cloakroom, and several lounges. The owners’ sleeping quarters are on the second floor, and the third level houses a work hall and service areas.
Decor: The interior is dominated by sensuality, with curved lines creating an ornamental harmony inspired by nature. The presence of iron columns and ceiling beams is notable. Horta designed the floor mosaics, door locks, lights, wallpaper, and stained glass in the roof and windows, allowing for ample light and color.
Function: A private, civilian building intended as a comfortable residence for the owner. Tassel sought a way to distance himself from the overcrowding caused by industrialization.
Music Auditorium
Architect: Lluis Domenech i Montaner
Type: Modernist auditorium
Overview: The building has two red brick facades with arcades on the ground floor and a platform topped by arches and columns decorated with mosaics and sculptures. It is enclosed by an attic decorated with a tiled terrace and a domed wing. The interior has three parts (accesses, stage, and auditorium). The auditorium, illuminated by natural light entering through the stained-glass facade, is a highlight. It features a skylight in the shape of an inverted dome that dominates the ceiling. Decorated with sculptures by Gargallo.
Function: Built to house the Orfeo Catala and host concerts. The hall’s strong character reflected the Orfeo Catala’s powerful symbolism.
Casa Mila
Type: Civilian building
Overview: The facade is dominated by curved lines formed by the floors, with two independent apartments and a penthouse with a terrace on each of the five floors. Each floor is separated by a ripple that runs horizontally along the entire facade. The balconies and windows are made of wrought iron and follow the same curvilinear style. Inside, there are two courtyards that provide natural light and ventilation. The different floors are distributed around these courtyards, creating polygonal shapes. Sidewalks and stairs lead to the apartments. Elevators provide access to the building, which is supported by a steel structure combined with stone and brick.
Function: The building was designed to accommodate car and carriage parking in the basement, shops on the ground floor, four main floors of rental housing, a water tank, and an attic. It features numerous ventilation openings and chimneys.
Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
The Thinker
Artist: Rodin
Style: Impressionist, symbolic sculpture
Overview: A sculpture of a naked man with oversized arms, hands, and feet, made of rock. The torso leans slightly forward, causing the head to rest on the right hand while the left arm rests relaxed on the lap. It presents a centripetal composition, with the main anatomical features interconnected. The modeling is striking, with tension in all the muscles of the body. Rodin attempts to capture lifelike figures, representing them in motion. The fingers and hands are the most elaborate parts.
Thematic: Represents an anonymous character absorbed in their worries. Rodin modeled this image after Dante, but did not intend for it to resemble him exactly. Instead, it serves as a metaphor for human thought confronted with its tragic mortal destiny. It was part of a larger project designed for a large door to the Museum of Decorative Arts, entitled “The Gates of Hell.”
Impression, Sunrise
Artist: Monet
Style: Impressionist landscape
Overview: Against a backdrop of large merchant ships with masts and smoky factory chimneys in the harbor, the sun, like a round orange, illuminates the scene. Three rowing boats sail on the water. The painting obeys only the emotions raised by the capture of different natural elements. It abandons the practice of academic detailing and outlines of objects. The brushstrokes convey a sense of movement. The colors are predominantly greyish blue and the orange of the sun.
Thematic: Shows a placid view of the port of Le Havre, where Monet spent his youth. It explores the depiction of light reflections on water and the desire to capture the presence and influence of the atmosphere in nature. It was presented at the first Impressionist exhibition.
The Card Players
Artist: Cézanne
Style: Post-Impressionist, genre scene
Thematic: Depicts an everyday scene in which two characters play cards, sitting in front of a table. The figure on the left has been identified as Alexandre, the gardener of the artist’s father.