Probably the most important work of the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner (1850-1923), highly influential on the movement Modernisme català, is the Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music), a concert hall in La Ribera, Barcelona, built between 1905 and 1908 as a home for the choral society Orfeó Català. Its exuberant design is typical for the movement, the curves predominating over straight lines, dynamic shapes being preferred over static forms, and rich decoration, that emphasizes floral and other organic motifs, being used extensively.
The rich decoration of the façade, which incorporates many elements of traditional Spanish and Arabic architecture, fits perfectly with the building's structure, and the red brick and iron, the mosaics, the stained glass, and the glazed tiles give a feeling of openness and transparency. Even Miguel Blay's sculptural group symbolizing Catalan music on the corner of the building (in the postcard) doesn't impede the view into or out from the interior. Above the columns from the entrance are large busts of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Ludwig van Beethoven on the main façade and Richard Wagner on the side.
Between 1982 and 1989, the building underwent extensive restoration, remodeling, and extension, and in 1997 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the site Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona, both being considered "masterpieces of the imaginative and exuberant Art Nouveau that flowered in early 20th century Barcelona".
About the stamp
The stamp, having the Spanish tourism as a subject, was issued on January 2, 2012.
References
Palau de la Música Catalana - Wikipedia
Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona - UNESCO official website
sender: Marius Vasilescu
sent from Barcelona (Catalonia / Spain), on 27.12.2012
photo: Pere Vivas
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