Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MODERNISME'S CRAFTY COLLABORATORS
Despite the overwhelming noise of the big-gun architects of the time,
modernisme
was of-
ten a true collaborative effort between the architects and their craftsmen and artisans. Lluís
Domènech i Montaner, in particular, recognized the importance of ensemble working, and
established apioneering craft workshopinthe building hedesigned initially asarestaurant
for Barcelona's Universal Exhibition of 1888 (known as the
Castell dels Tres Dragons
).
Antoni Gaudí, too, always worked with skilled craftsmen, including his longtime collab-
orator - and a master of mosaic decoration -
Josep Maria Jujol i Gilbert
(1879-1949).
Theothersignificantnameisthatof
EusebiArnauiMascort
(1864-1933),whoprovided
meticulous carvings for all the main
modernista
architects - much loved are his quirky
figures adorning Josep Puig i Cadafalch's Casa Macaya and the tour-de-force carved fire-
place in the Raval's
HotelEspanya
. Some projects brought together the cream of craft tal-
ent, so at Domènech i Montaner's Palau de la Música Catalana, for example, the glorious
stained glass by Antoni Rigalt and elaborate facade sculpture by Miquel Blay form an in-
tegral part of the whole. Meanwhile, the stunning private houses being built across Bar-
celona forwealthy captains ofindustrylookedasgoodontheinside astheydidontheout-
side, filled with furniture by
modernista
craftsmen like cabinet-maker extraordinaire
Joan
BusquetsiJané
(1874-1949)and artist and interior designer
GasparHomariMezquida
(1870-1955).
