El Capricho 2 by Jim Anzalone is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
El Capricho, located in Comillas, Spain is another creation by architect Antoni Gaudí. He is known for his modernist style and unusual designs. He preferred not to create plans for his designs but rather made three-dimensional scale models and added details as he designed the work.
El Capricho 4 by Jim Anzalone is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Design Inspiration
Commissioned by Máximo Díaz de Quijano, El Capricho was made to be a summer house. It was completed in 1885, while Gaudí was in his Orientalist period and was inspired by the art of the Middle and the Far East. Some interesting parts of this building are the ceramic covered cylindrical tower done in the style of a Persian minaret, capitals (or tops of columns) which are decorated with birds and leaves, and the smoking room which has a ceiling with a false stucco vault.
Although it is was deemed a “folly” or a building created purely for decorative purposes, the building is now open year-round and serves as a museum. The museum’s dedicated staff strives to maintain it in perfect condition so it can be enjoyed and studied by all ages for many years to come.
Lasting Legacy
UNESCO declared 7 of his works World Heritage Sites between 1984 and 2005. Today Gaudí remains an inspiration for architects around the world and his unique works are still in use.
To see more of Gaudí’s works check out my posts on the Casa Batlló, Casa Milá, Casa Vicens, and Sagrada Família.
