Discoveries: Gaudi : Visionary Architect (Discoveries)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent primer on the life of a unique genius.
Review: This small, well-organized, and beautifully illustrated book is an unexpectedly thorough and complete reference on the productive life of Antoni Gaudí, from his formation and early works to his crowning achievements and untimely death.
Chronologically organized and succinctly written, but without being a mere biography, this book presents a well-researched portrait of the most overlooked, original, expressive and particular genius of all the Catalan architects of the 1900's. Often citing historical sources and quoting entries from the artist's own contemporaries, the author presents an insightful account of Gaudí's works, his views on art, his research on architectural issues, and his most amazing, creative, and visionary achievements. The book gives us a grand tour of Gaudí's surviving works, from his earliest commissions (the lampposts at Barcelona's Plaza Real) to the most dazzling demonstration of his genius (the Park Güell) and his most daring undertakings (the church of the Sagrada Familia, still unfinished). Sprinkled through the book are also anecdotes and little-known facts about his character and personal life that let his peculiar style, his individuality and fantastic imagination virtually come alive in front of the reader.
For those interested in a deeper treatment of the subject, the choice bibliographic reference titled Further Reading and the List of Illustrations, both located at the back of the book, will be of special value.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent primer on the life of a unique genius.
Review: This small, well-organized, and beautifully illustrated book is an unexpectedly thorough and complete reference on the productive life of Antoni Gaudí, from his formation and early works to his crowning achievements and untimely death.
Chronologically organized and succinctly written, but without being a mere biography, this book presents a well-researched portrait of the most overlooked, original, expressive and particular genius of all the Catalan architects of the 1900's. Often citing historical sources and quoting entries from the artist's own contemporaries, the author presents an insightful account of Gaudí's works, his views on art, his research on architectural issues, and his most amazing, creative, and visionary achievements. The book gives us a grand tour of Gaudí's surviving works, from his earliest commissions (the lampposts at Barcelona's Plaza Real) to the most dazzling demonstration of his genius (the Park Güell) and his most daring undertakings (the church of the Sagrada Familia, still unfinished). Sprinkled through the book are also anecdotes and little-known facts about his character and personal life that let his peculiar style, his individuality and fantastic imagination virtually come alive in front of the reader.
For those interested in a deeper treatment of the subject, the choice bibliographic reference titled Further Reading and the List of Illustrations, both located at the back of the book, will be of special value.