The 368 pages of Gaudi – The Complete Buildings by Rainer Zerbst takes its reader to Spain’s Catalan world adorned by colourful and shimmering mosaic textures, the skeletal forms of Casa Batllo, and the Hispano – Arabic milieu of Casa Vicens.
Famously known for transforming Barcelona’s architecture, Antoni Gaudi, also known as God’s architect, combined nature and built forms with religion, art, voluptuous colours, and textures in an organic style. A style widely recognized and known for its aesthetic detailing and complexity, which this latest edition book from Taschen has captured perfectly.
The book encompasses various projects of Antoni Gaudi including the architect’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. The book features the latest and historical photographs, the architect’s drawings, and other details such as furniture, interior design, etc., of each project.
With words paved by the famous art critic Rainer Zerbst, the book showcases the avant-garde designs of a genius architect – Antoni Gaudi
About the Architect
Amidst Barcelona’s Gothic and contemporary architecture, a bevy of structures stands out for their unique appearance – these structures are the art by the great artist Antoni Gaudi. Born in 1852, Gaudi has been a symbol of an organic architectural style that incorporates inspirations from nature and complex geometrical shapes to create undulating forms.
Gaudi designed some of the city’s landmarks such as the towering yet incomplete cathedral of La Sagrada Familia to the whimsical Parc Guell and numerous residences. Antoni Gaudi’s exceptional architectural style was influenced by several other styles like Oriental, Revival Gothic, and French architecture but he believed that Gothic style was imperfect and began to blend motifs inspired by nature and religion.
Gaudi worked on Sagrada Familia for over 11 years until he was hit by a tramp in 1926 and succumbed to death.
Book Overview
Gaudi – The Complete Buildings by Rainer Zerbst
Written by Rainer Zerbst and published by Taschen, the book, Gaudi – The Complete Buildings celebrates the Catalan architect’s unique and eccentric personality through his structures which is indeed a marvelous work of art. The book features some of his spectacular unfinished works such as the Skyscraper in Manhattan. The book is truly a feast to the eyes with vibrant and dynamic colourful facades, a creative portfolio of a true master!
A tour through Barcelona of sorts, the book depicts Antoni Gaudi as a true builder in the most authentic means, the God of crafting astonishing masterpieces without even leaving a minute element with flawless detailing. With a style that is an amalgamation of Orientalism, Gothic architecture, nature, and religion, Gaudi rewrote the framework of Modernist style to make something known as The Gaudi Style. This hardcover showcases how Gaudi along with his creations put Barcelona on the map.
From Casa Visen to Parc Guell and Guell Palace, are presented impressively in this book. Certain UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stunning private residences, and spectacular public buildings, Taschen’s Gaudi – The Complete Buildings is a must-have for every architect or anyone who is an avid admirer of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and his magnificent artworks.
References:
- https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/gaudi-complete-works-rainer-zerbst
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/complete-works-antoni-gaudi
- https://boomers-daily.com/2020/01/02/new-architecture-books-gaudi-the-complete-works-by-rainer-zerbst/
