An architect with an aesthetic that seems to exceed the limits of time and defined architectural style, Antoni Gaudi has a cemented place in the architectural history of Spain which makes his name a prominent one in the discussion of architectural development in the late 19th and early 20th century leading up to the International Style. The abundance of international research and writings that focus on his work allows for a unique perspective on the perceptions of this architect shaped by cultural and linguistic barriers. This research compares the writings about Gaudi in German-speaking countries and those produced and translated into English which shape the perception of this prominent architect in the respective lands.
Much has been written in the historical study of Gaudi and his place in the architecture, and as anything in the study of history these writings have been imbued with an innate bias of the authors and the culture in which the authors write. The purpose of this research is to compare the perspectives reflected in these writings to ascertain the perceptions held about Gaudi in these different places.
This research will be based on the examination of prominent accounts on Gaudi found in North America as well as those accounts that were originally written and published for a German-speaking audience to compare the perspectives and attitudes on the Spanish architect in different cultural and linguistic realms.
