What was Catalan Modernism?
Palau de la Música Catalana, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site – General Interior by Lohen11
Modernism corresponds to the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It is part of the same European current known as Art Nouveau (in France and Belgium), Modern Style (in England), Tiffany (in the USA), Jugendstil (in Germany), Sezessionstil or Wiener Sezession (in Austria), Stile ‘900, Floreale or Liberty (in Italy). It had a major impact on architecture and the decorative arts Although it is part of a general trend that emerges throughout Europe (Modernisme), in Catalonia it acquires a distinctive personality, and it is probably the most developed modernism. It was trying to recover Catalan culture, together with a firm desire to modernize the country. Catalan architecture, sculpture, painting and decorative arts found their compatibility in Art Nouveau, and the concordance with what Catalan culture and art needed. As a result, the city of Barcelona benefits from an architecture that makes it unique in the world. Some works of Catalan Modernism have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site: Parc Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà, the Nativity façade and the crypt of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Vicens and Casa Batlló at Barcelona, together with the crypt of the Colònia Güell in Sta. Coloma de Cervelló; and the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona, by Domènech i Montaner. With regard to Modernist painting, we can find many of these works on display in different Catalan museums, such as the National Art Museum of Catalonia or the Museum of Catalan Modernism.