"For almost half a century (1888-1929) Catalonia was the centre of 'modernism'. This architectural movement was closely related to Art Nouveau but its artistic expression was clearly distinct from the related European movements of this period. The Catalonian proponents of Art Nouveau were undoubtedly influenced by the work of Ruskin and Viollet-le-Duc, but arrived at their own interpretation of it, with the emphasis more on materials and construction. 'Modernism' was far more than a phenomenon restricted to a particular region. It was the synthesis of constructional rationalism and lyrical expression, the fusion of new technical possibilities with a refreshingly decorative palette of forms, guaranteeing it a prominent position in the history of the art of the 19th and 20th centuries. Antoni Gaudi is one of its finest exponents; equal in stature to him and also included in this volume are the buildings of Dome?nech i Montaner and Josep i Cadafalch, together with those of Vilascca, Jujol i Cadafaleh, together with those of Vilaseca, Jujol and Berenguer. The photographs, plans and elevaions shown here illustrate the diversity of their works, and provide documentation of these architects' creative powers"--Publisher's description, p. [2] of dust jacket.