Antoni Gaudi

Antoni Gaudí was born in Reus or Riudoms, Catalonia, Spain, in 1852 to a coppersmith father and a devout mother. He was the youngest of five children, of whom three survived to adulthood. He suffered from rheumatism since childhood, which made him unable to play with other children. He spent a lot of time observing nature and drawing sketches of plants and animals. He moved to Barcelona in 1868 to study architecture at the Llotja School and the Barcelona Higher School of Architecture. He graduated in 1878 and began his professional career as an architect. He worked for various patrons and commissions, such as Eusebi Güell, a wealthy industrialist who became his main sponsor and friend. He also joined the Catalan Renaixença movement, which aimed to revive the Catalan culture and identity. He developed his own style of architecture that was inspired by nature and organic forms. He used curved lines, irregular shapes, colorful tiles, stained glass, wrought iron, and sculptural elements to create buildings that resembled living organisms. He also incorporated religious symbols and motifs into his designs, reflecting his deep Catholic faith. He was influenced by Gothic, Oriental, and Art Nouveau styles, but he transcended them with his original and innovative vision. He devoted most of his life to the construction of the Basilica of the Sagrada Família (Holy Family), which he considered his masterpiece. He started working on it in 1883 and never finished it before his death. He designed it as a monumental expression of the Christian faith, with 18 towers representing Jesus, Mary, the apostles, and the evangelists. He also planned to include scenes from the life of Christ, the mysteries of the rosary, and the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. He died in 1926 at the age of 73 after being hit by a tram while walking to his daily prayer at the church of Sant Felip Neri. He was buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Família, where his tomb can be visited today. His works have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and are among the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest architects of all time and one of the most influential figures of Catalan culture.