A Steam-powered Nation.
Urban Transformation
Modernisme

The new artistic movement, Modernisme, bloomed during the last decades of the nineteenth century. It was characterised by its aspirations of modernity, its clear links with the new European artistic movements and its desire to provide a vehicle for native Catalan expression. Art in all its innovative, revolutionary and futuristic glory, unfettered by other ideological bonds. Modernisme spread into all the arts (even the applied or minor arts) and developed a feeling of artistic defiance, demanding a place for the artist in modern society and leading some of its representatives into social obligations. At the turn of the century, the Modernista movement was identified with the bourgeoisie, who commissioned Modernista architects to build their houses and other construction projects.


1888. Universal Exhibition in Barcelona.
1890. Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol and Enric Clarasó hold a joint exhibition.
1891. Founding of the Orfeó Català (Catalan Choral Society).
1892. The opera Tannhaüser is performed in Barcelona.
1895-1906. Modernista architecture is at its peak.
1896. First cinematographic film shown in Barcelona.
1896. Pablo Picasso arrives in Barcelona.
1902. Lluís Doménech i Montaner begins work on the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona.
1903. First Congrés Universitari Català (Catalan University Congress).
1905. Víctor Català publishes Solitud (Solitude).
1907. Foundation of the Institut d'Estudis Catalans (Institute of Catalan Studies) and the Biblioteca de Catalunya (Library of Catalonia).


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