Sagrada Familia
Gaudí, Antoni
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Alternative Titles
Basílica y Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia
Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family
Date
1882-2026Description
Rosary Chapel features figure groups of temptations, resisted by intercession of the Virgin; Gaudí’s masterpiece, and, although only partially completed, it is among the most impressive buildings of the 20th century. He took charge of the works at the age of 31 and continued for the rest of his life; it summarizes his evolution as an architect (from Modernisme to a mature individualism) as well as the increasing depth of his spiritual conviction. His assistants on the project included Jujol, Berenguer, Rubió, the sculptor Lorenzo Matamala i Pinyol (1856-1927), Gaudí’s friend and site supervisor, and Carlos Mani i Roig (1866-1911). The concept of a church dedicated to the Holy Family was widened to become a cathedral for the new metropolitan areas of Barcelona, and del Villar’s neo-Gothic design had been under construction for more than a year when Gaudí took over in 1883. The towers and the church show Gaudí’s structural aesthetic at work in the idiom of the Gothic cathedral, eliminating the need for flying buttresses. Of the two chapels, planned at the corners of the cloister, Gaudí finished only the "Our Virgin of the Rosary" (Rosary Chapel). The triple portals (1903) of the Nativity façade, represent Faith, Hope and Charity. The four great facade towers are named after the Apostles: from south to north, Barnabas, Simon, Thaddeus and Matthew. Only Barnabas was completed before Gaudí’s death. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death. There is controversy about continuing the project since Gaudi's plans were destroyed in 1936. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 7/16/2010)
Type of Work
cathedralSubject
architecture, cityscape, Apostles, Jesus Christ, Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint, Modernisme, Twentieth century, Modernismo
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only