Anyone who visits Barcelona today will come across the works of Antoni Gaudi'—the architect who has attracted art-lovers from all over the world to Spain. It was here, in the capital of Catalonia, that the famous master of architecture produced nearly all of his works, including villas for the well-to-do bourgeoisie, the expansive Gu"ell Park (which today is open to the public), and the famous church designed in honour of the Holy Family—a project which was begun over 100 years ago and has yet to be completed.

Antoni Gaudi''s life was full of contradictions. As a young man he joined the Catalonian nationalist movement and was critical of the church; toward the end of his life he devoted himself completely to the construction of one single church. As a young man Gaudi' had a liking for the glamour of social life and the looks of a dandy; in old age, on the other hand, he lived a spartan life. Gaudi' never married and devoted his life entirely to his art: architecture. His works have been acclaimed as "soothing oases in a desert of functional buildings," as "precious gems in the uniform grey of rows of houses," and the master himself was acclaimed as the "Dante of architecture".

This book provides a sweeping study of his entire career, presenting his complete works via texts and illustrations.

Author:
Rainer Zerbst studied modern languages at the University of Tu"bingen and in Wales from 1969 to 1975. From 1976 to 1982 he worked as a research assistant in the Department of English at the University of Tu"bingen. Since completing his doctorate in 1982, Zerbst has been active as a critic in the fields of art, literature and the theatre.