Los Centinelas Tristes de Sagrada Familia
by Joe Schofield
Title
Los Centinelas Tristes de Sagrada Familia
Artist
Joe Schofield
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
In stark contrast to the fanciful elements and uplifting message of the Nativity facade, Gaudi wanted the Passion facade to convey Jesus' suffering (The Passion) and the bleakness of his death. He wanted the facade to be cold and without ornamentation. The facade was completed by the sculpturer Josep Maria Subirachs in 1990 from Gaudi's drawings and notes.
Notice that Subirach's style is angular and rigid. The opposite of Gaudi who did not believe in using straight lines. The stark lines evoke a sober feeling for the end of Jesus' life from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion.
Begun in 1882 and still unfinished, the tactile, organic form of the Roman Catholic basilica of La Sagrada Família (The Holy Family) is one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks. It is an unexpected sight in its industrial setting, with its bold flying buttresses and twisted towers looming over the city.
In 1883 Gaudí took over as chief architect, and he changed the original Neo-Gothic design to one based on the geometric forms found in nature. It was to be Gaudí’s Expressionist vision of a 20th-century cathedral, where he would use visual symbolism to express the many mysteries of the Christian faith.
When Gaudí died in 1926, only the Nativity facade, one tower, the apse, and the crypt were finished. Gaudí, whose tomb is beneath the cathedral, knew he would not live to see the completion of his vision, believing it would take 200 years—but, as he said, “The patron of this project is not in a hurry.” La Sagrada Familia was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.
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June 11th, 2022
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Comments (27)
James Harrell
Congratulations on your well deserved feature in the "Photographs from Spain" Group. If you like you can add this photo to the Feature Archives post in the discussion section, by copying and pasting the "embed" link on your photo page.
Steve Henderson
The essay accompanying this fine image is fascinating. You captured well the texture and depth of the facade. Triste, indeed.
Jennifer Jenson
Impressive capture of this intriguing piece, Joe. The history of the work is fascinating.
Jim Cook
It is amazing how the work of the 2 sculptors brought their vision to this evocative work. Beautifully photographed Joe.