Catalonia: A Cultural History (Landscapes of the Imagination)

Squeezed between more powerful France and Spain, Catalonia has endured a violent history. Its medieval empire that conquered Naples, Sicily and Athens was crushed by Spain. Its geography, with the Pyrenees falling sharply to the rugged Costa Brava, is tormented, too. Michael Eaude traces this history and it monuments: roman Tarragona, celebrated by the poet Martial; Greek Empúries, lost for centuries beneath the sands; medieval Romanesque architecture in the Vall de Bo:i churches (a World Heritage Series) and Poblet and Santes Creus monasteries. He tells the stories of several of Catalonia's great figures: Abbot Olivia, who brought Moorish learning to Europe, the ruthless mercenary, Roger de Flor, and Verdaguer, handsome poet-priest. Catalonia is famous today for its twentieth-century art. This book focuses on the revolutionary Art Nouveau buildings (including the Sagrada Família) of Antoni Gaudí. It also explores the region's artistic legacy: the young Picasso painting Barcelona's vibrant slums; Salvador Dalí, inspired by the twisted rocks of Cap de Creus to paint his landscapes of the human mind; and Joan Miró, discovering the colors of the red earth at Montroig. Squeezed Between More Powerful France And Spain, Catalonia Has Endured A Violent History. Its Medieval Empire That Conquered Naples, Sicily, And Athens Was Crushed By Spain. Its Geography, With The Pyrenees Falling Sharply To The Rugged Costa Brava, Is Tormented, Too. Michael Eaude Traces This History And Its Monuments. Catalonia Is Famous Today For Its Twentieth-century Art. This Book Focuses On The Revolutionary Art Nouveau Buildings (including The Sagrada Familia) Of Antoni Gaudi. It Also Explores The Region's Artistic Legacy: The Young Picasso Painting Barcelona's Vibrant Slums: Salvador Dali Inspired By The Twisted Rocks Of Cap De Creus To Paint His Landscapes Of The Human Mind: And Joan Miro, Discovering The Colors Of The Red Earth At Montroig.--book Jacket. Birth And Rebirth Of A Nation -- Portbou And Montserrat : Sea And Mountain -- Mediterranean, The Centre Of The Earth : Tarragona -- Romanesque Catalonia : The Pyrenees -- Glory And Rapine : Poblet And Athens -- The Poet-priest And The Indiano : Verdaguer And Antonio López -- The Lancashire Of Spain : Gaudí And Güell -- Geniuses -- Fleeing The Straight And Narrow : Gaudí And Reus -- The Birth Of Modern Painting : Rusiñol At Sitges, Casas And Pablo Picasso -- The Terminal Beach : Salvador Dalí -- Feet Rooted To The Red Earth : Joan Miró -- I Come From A Silence : Catalan Music -- Tourism And War -- The Sweaty Groin : Barcelona's Raval -- The Gothic Quarter, Barcelona -- Mass Migration And Mass Tourism : Lloret -- Plain And River : Lleida And The Ebro -- The Anarchist Dream : George Orwell And Revolution -- The Landscape In The Pot : Food, Drink And Identity -- Cradle And Refuge : Fc Barcelona. Michael Eaude. Series From Jacket. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 267-269) And Indexes. Squeezed between more powerful France and Spain, Catalonia has endured a violent history. Its medieval empire that conquered Naples, Sicily and Athens was crushed by Spain. Its geography, with the Pyrenees falling sharply to the rugged Costa Brava, is tormented, too. Michael Eaude traces this history and it monuments: roman Tarragona, celebrated by the poet Martial; Greek Empuries, lost for centuries beneath the sands; medieval Romanesque architecture in the Vall de Bo: i churches (a World Heritage Series) and Poblet and Santes Creus monasteries. He tells the stories of several of Catalonia's great figures: Abbot Olivia, who brought Moorish learning to Europe, the ruthless mercenary, Roger de Flor, and Verdaguer, handsome poet-priest. Catalonia is famous today for its twentieth-century art. This book focuses on the revolutionary Art Nouveau buildings (including the Sagrada Familia) of Antoni Gaudi. It also explores the region's artistic legacy: the young Picasso painting Barcelona's vibrant slums; Salvador Dali, inspired by the twisted rocks of Cap de Creus to paint his landscapes of the human mind; and Joan Miro, discovering the colors of the red earth at Montroig.