Description
The Gaudí we haven't been told about
Book Summary
A revealing and well-documented look at the figure of Antoni Gaudí, far from the clichés and conventional biographies. The author, Joan Torres Domènech, takes advantage of his shared origin with the architect to offer a unique and rigorous perspective. Through exhaustive research in archives and diaries, the book unveils previously unpublished and controversial facts that challenge the idealized image of the modernist genius. An essential work for anyone who wants to know the most human and real Gaudí.
What is it about?
The book focuses on discovering little-known or deliberately silenced aspects of the life and work of Antoni Gaudí. The author, with a deep knowledge of the environment and culture of the Baix Camp region, has scoured a large number of primary sources to provide new and verified data. Thus, episodes are addressed such as the real authorship of the performance hall of the Metropol Theater in Tarragona, hitherto attributed to Josep Maria Jujol, or the legal conflicts that Gaudí maintained with a widow and her children to evict them from family properties. The work does not aim to demystify, but to offer a more complete and truthful vision of the man behind the myth, always based on irrefutable evidence.
Main themes
- The biography of Antoni Gaudí from a critical and documented perspective.
- The discovery of unpublished and controversial facts about his personal and professional life.
- Gaudí's social, cultural, and family context, especially his connection with Reus and Riudoms.
- The revision of attributions of works and the resolution of historiographical mysteries.
- The figure of Gaudí as a man of his time, with both light and shadow.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is recommended for art history buffs, architecture students, and those interested in the figure of Gaudí who are looking to go beyond conventional biographies. It is also ideal for curious readers who want to discover the more human and lesser-known side of one of the most universal geniuses of Catalan culture.
What this book provides
- Access to previously unpublished and rigorously documented information about Gaudí's life.
- A unique perspective thanks to the author's knowledge of the architect's native environment.
- The demystification of certain established narratives, offering a more balanced and realistic view.
- The resolution of historical doubts, such as the authorship of certain works.
- An enjoyable and revealing read that changes the reader's perception of the character.
Technical specifications
- Author: Torres Domènech, Joan
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: Biography: art and entertainment, modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Perfils
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2018
- Number of pages: 184
- Weight: 403 g
Editorial review
A necessary work for anyone who wants to delve into the knowledge of Antoni Gaudí from a rigorous perspective, far from commonplaces. The research work of Joan Torres Domènech, based on primary sources and his knowledge of the territory, offers a valuable contribution to Gaudinian historiography. The book is especially recommended for the reader who already knows the broad outlines of the architect's biography and is looking for a more nuanced and surprising vision.