Joan Martorell facts for kids
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Joan Martorell i Montells (born in 1833 in Barcelona, died on July 5, 1906, also in Barcelona) was a talented Catalan architect and designer. He was the uncle of another architect, Bernardí Martorell i Puig.
Martorell often worked in styles called historicism and Gothic Revival. Historicism means he looked back at older styles and brought them into new buildings. Gothic Revival meant he used ideas from the Gothic period, like tall arches and detailed decorations. He was inspired by famous architects like the French Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and the English William Butterfield.
He was well-known for fixing and restoring old Gothic churches. He also worked closely with the Archdiocese of Barcelona, which is a big church organization, on their buildings. One of his most famous buildings is the Church of the Salesas in Barcelona, finished in 1885. This church mixed Gothic Revival with Romanesque Revival (another old style) and the unique Mudéjar style, which has Spanish and Islamic influences.
In Comillas, Spain, Martorell designed the beautiful Palacio de Sobrellano and the Capilla Panteón de los Marqueses de Comillas (a chapel and tomb). He also helped design the Pontifical University there, working with another important architect named Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
Martorell is also famous for his later work in the Modernisme style, which was a popular art movement in Catalonia. He had strong connections with other Modernisme architects, especially his student and friend, Antoni Gaudí.
Teacher and Mentor to Gaudí
Joan Martorell was a teacher to Antoni Gaudí and later even hired him for projects. Martorell taught Gaudí a special engineering method called graphic statics. This technique was very important because Gaudí used it often to create amazing vaulted ceilings without needing big supports called buttresses.
Martorell also introduced Gaudí to his most important client and supporter, Eusebi Güell. Güell became a huge help for Gaudí's career. Martorell also gave Gaudí other jobs, like designing things for the city of Barcelona and even furniture for the Marqués de Comillas.
In 1883, Martorell led the group that chose Antoni Gaudí to take over the design and building of the famous Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. This happened after the first architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, left the project. This was a huge moment for Gaudí's career!
Main Works
Most of Joan Martorell's buildings are in Barcelona. Here are some of his important projects:
Works in Barcelona
- Església i Convent de les Adoratrius (1874)
- Església i Convent de les Saleses (1877–1885)
- Reconstruction of the Montsio (1888)
- Tower and dome of the Basilica of La Mercè
- Restoration of the Monastery of Pedralbes (1897)
- Building of the Societat de Crèdit Mercantil (1901) – This building was even named the best new building in 1901 by the city!
- Monument to Joan Güell (1901)
- Robert House, which is now called Palau Robert (1898–1903)
- Saint Ignatius of Loyola School (The Sarrià Jesuits) (1893-1896)
- Palace and garden of the Finca Güell (now Palau Reial de Pedralbes)
Works Outside Barcelona
- Parish Church of Santa Maria in Portbou
- Parish Church of Castellar del Vallès
- Monumental Rosary in Montserrat: He designed parts of this special religious path.
- Palacio de Sobrellano in Comillas (1878–1890)
- Panteón de Sobranello (1881)
- Seminary of Comillas (1883) – This building was finished by Lluis Domenech i Montaner and is now the home of the Comillas Foundation.
See also
In Spanish: Joan Martorell para niños
