Eusebi Güell
Encyclopedia
Eusebi Güell i Bacigalupi, 1st Count of Güell (əwˈzɛβi ˈɣweʎ; 15 December 1846 - 8 July 1918) was a Catalan
entrepreneur who profited greatly from the industrial revolution in Catalonia
in the late 19th century. He married a daughter of the second Marquis of Comillas.
, the son of Joan Güell i Ferrer, an entrepreneur from Torredembarra
who had amassed a considerable richness during his stay in Cuba
and thanks to the numerous activities established at his return in Barcelona. His mother was the member of an ancient merchant family from Genoa
who had moved to Catalonia in the late 18th century.
Güell became a 'Medici
esque' patron to architect Antoni Gaudí
. They met at the start of the latter's career and found that they had mutual interests, including religion (both were devout Catholics). Güell saw Gaudí as the man who could provide him with uniquely designed buildings.
Güell built a utopian town on the outskirts of Barcelona, including Gaudí's the crypt of the Colònia Güell.
Reportedly on one occasion Gaudí said to Güell, "Sometimes I think we are the only people who like this architecture." Güell replied, "I don't like your architecture, I respect it."
Cheaper production methods elsewhere in Spain caused a slow but steady erosion of profit. Güell bought land in Barcelona
and employed Gaudí to build an estate for the rich. However, Gaudí's architecture was not very popular among the elite of his own time and place, and there were few takers: only two houses were built. In 1923, the Güell family gave the land to the city, as Park Güell
.
King Alfonso XIII ennobled Eusebi Güell as count 1911. He died in his house in the Park Güell in 1918.
Catalan people
The Catalans or Catalonians are the people from, or with origins in, Catalonia that form a historical nationality in Spain. The inhabitants of the adjacent portion of southern France are sometimes included in this definition...
entrepreneur who profited greatly from the industrial revolution in Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
in the late 19th century. He married a daughter of the second Marquis of Comillas.
Biography
He was born at BarcelonaBarcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, the son of Joan Güell i Ferrer, an entrepreneur from Torredembarra
Torredembarra
Torredembarra is a small town in the comarca of the Tarragonès, in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.- External links :***...
who had amassed a considerable richness during his stay in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and thanks to the numerous activities established at his return in Barcelona. His mother was the member of an ancient merchant family from Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
who had moved to Catalonia in the late 18th century.
Güell became a 'Medici
Medici
The House of Medici or Famiglia de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of the Tuscan countryside,...
esque' patron to architect Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was a Spanish Catalan architect and figurehead of Catalan Modernism. Gaudí's works reflect his highly individual and distinctive style and are largely concentrated in the Catalan capital of Barcelona, notably his magnum opus, the Sagrada Família.Much of Gaudí's work was...
. They met at the start of the latter's career and found that they had mutual interests, including religion (both were devout Catholics). Güell saw Gaudí as the man who could provide him with uniquely designed buildings.
Güell built a utopian town on the outskirts of Barcelona, including Gaudí's the crypt of the Colònia Güell.
Reportedly on one occasion Gaudí said to Güell, "Sometimes I think we are the only people who like this architecture." Güell replied, "I don't like your architecture, I respect it."
Cheaper production methods elsewhere in Spain caused a slow but steady erosion of profit. Güell bought land in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
and employed Gaudí to build an estate for the rich. However, Gaudí's architecture was not very popular among the elite of his own time and place, and there were few takers: only two houses were built. In 1923, the Güell family gave the land to the city, as Park Güell
Park Güell
Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of El Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914...
.
King Alfonso XIII ennobled Eusebi Güell as count 1911. He died in his house in the Park Güell in 1918.
Patronage
Buildings by Gaudí that bear Güell's name include:- Palau GüellPalau GüellThe Palau Güell is a mansion in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí for the Catalan industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell.It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí"....
- Church of Colònia GüellChurch of Colònia GüellThe Church of Colònia Güell is an unfinished work by Antoni Gaudí. It was built as a place of worship for the people in a manufacturing suburb in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, near Barcelona . Colònia Güell was the brainchild of Count Eusebi de Güell...
- Park GüellPark GüellPark Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of El Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914...