Phoenixes, nymphs or lions: the hidden messages of Domenech and Muntaner

BarcelonaInfluenced by his extensive studies of classical and medieval architecture, as well as his passion for heraldry, the work of architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner is distinguished by its use of ornamentation, often exuberant, especially during his Floral period, where ceramics, glass, iron, and wood become works of art. This ornamental richness features elements from real and fantastical bestiaries, which the architect imbued with specific symbolism in each of his projects, allowing for different interpretations depending on the context. To explore this aspect of his work in depth, the Lluís Domènech i Montaner Studies Center (CEDIM) has recently published the book The bestiary of Domènech i MontanerFiguration and Symbolism, by Gemma Martí, is a comprehensive and detailed study that identifies zoomorphic representations in the architect's work and offers a symbolic interpretation.

Gemma Martí, coordinator of CEDIM, explains that they wanted to analyze this aspect in depth precisely because they had noticed that their years of study of his built works and unrealized projects lacked a more detailed analysis of this ornamental element, which was carried out by artisans under his direction. As she explains, "the aim was to study his entire body of work to gain a broader perspective that would allow us to interpret what he wanted to convey." He never left written instructions regarding his choice of one type of ornamentation over another, whether floral or animal, but this study has allowed them "to observe the evolution of his work and determine which animals are more recurrent in one period or another, or why he used certain ones in relation to their function." In this sense, for example, Martí highlights how, for each building, he chooses the best representation for the message he wants to convey and points out that while it is true that "in some works the symbolism may coincide, for example, if he wants to represent the social status of the owner, the purpose of his designs—private houses, public buildings, or for institutions—changes the symbolism considerably." Thus, in a building like the Pontifical Seminary of Comillas, the use of certain animals would be related to a moral intention, while in the Hospital of Sant Pau, the animals would be related to issues concerning illness or healing. If we look at private houses like the Casa Fuster or the Casa del Ardiaca, he might use animals like swallows as a symbol of family and home, as also occurs in the Palau de la Música itself, which is meant to represent the house of music.

This exhaustive study of animal symbolism in the work of Domènech i Montaner yields several observations, such as the fact that "some animals are more frequent than others in his work, like the dragon, so characteristic of Modernism and which Domènech uses very often, a fantastic animal, like the phoenix, which implicitly symbolizes the rebirth of Catalonia and which we find on many building crowns as a symbol of the country's resurgence or of the owners of the specific house, as is the case in what was the headquarters of the Montaner i Simon publishing house, for example," says Gemma Martí. In total, they have counted 91 different animal representations, 68 of them real animals and 23 fantastic ones, where he has free rein to create hybrid animals, such as those found abundantly in the gallery of the Palau Montaner or in the Santa Florentina castle. In any case, ornamental elements always have an intention, "they want to explain things to us, which is why we always refer to architecture when talking about Domènech i Montaner," the book's author emphasizes. This symbolism is consistent throughout his work, although floral ornamentation takes precedence in certain periods, with spectacular examples such as Casa León y Morera in Barcelona or Casa Navàs in Reus.

Montaner and Simon Publishing House (1880-1882)

Domènech i Montaner was commissioned to design the new headquarters of the Montaner i Simon publishing house in 1879, his first major project. Built on Aragó Street in Barcelona (now the site of the Fundació Tàpies), it displays features of eclecticism and Modernism. The exposed brick and ironwork of the façade are particularly noteworthy. Regarding zoomorphic representations, winged dragons crown the building, protecting the busts of Dante Alighieri and John Milton, symbols of wisdom. A phoenix, symbolizing the rebirth of the publishing house, is located on the central axis of the façade. The phoenix reappears on the protective grilles of the basement, accompanied by two snakes, which may also symbolize rebirth, alluding to the shedding of their skin.

Montaner Palace (1889-1893)

A new commission was given to his nephew Lluís by the architect's uncle, Ramon Muntaner i Vila, one of the partners in the Montaner i Simon publishing house. The building, located between Mallorca and Roger de Llúria streets, is one of the architect's works with the most extensive collection of animal representations. These can be found on the façades, the building's crowning element, the interior sculpted reliefs, and on the floors and walls. At the top of the main façade is a sculpted phoenix in a rampant position, with outstretched wings and a shield on its chest. In addition, the façade features fantastical animals, such as dragons with fish tails, and pairs of stone griffins, creatures that combine elements of a bird of prey and a lion, acting as guardians of the house. In the Palau, the dragon is depicted in various places and forms, and the griffin also reappears, this time in the coffered wooden ceiling of the living room, crafted in ceramic relief with a metallic luster. Other animals represented in the Palau Montaner include the boar, the eagle, the owl, the dog, the turtledove, and the winged horse, as well as several hybrid beasts.

Santa Florentina Castle (1896-1916)

This project was also commissioned by Ramon Montaner to his nephew, in this case, to transform the fortified house of Canet de Mar into a medieval-inspired castle, a project carried out in several phases. The zoomorphic elements are primarily found on the crowning of the façades, the towers, and the walls surrounding the inner courtyard, serving as gargoyles for rainwater drainage. These depictions include fantastical animals and anthropomorphic figures, similar to those sculpted by ancient stonemasons. We find both fantastical and real animals such as crocodiles, dogs, monkeys, frogs, and bulls. In the courtyard, particularly on the capitals, there are figures ranging from a horse to an octopus, as well as an eagle and a cat. Numerous bestiary representations are also found on the floor of the Domènech Gallery, in the castle's main hall, where the architect commissioned the carving of several capitals with animal scenes, as well as in the bedrooms and the winter dining room.

Fonda España (1899-1903)

In 1895, businessman Miquel Salvadó Llorens acquired the Gran Hotel de Espagne, located on Sant Pau Street in Barcelona. In 1898, he commissioned Domènech i Montaner to renovate the establishment. Among other changes, Domènech i Montaner covered the hotel's courtyard, transforming it into a dining room for guests, dominated by a large glass skylight. The walls of the room were decorated with stucco designed by the painter Ramon Casas, depicting the seabed with waves, aquatic animals, and four nude female figures representing the Nereids, sea nymphs. The faunal repertoire was inspired by the drawings of the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai and depicts various species of fish, crabs, and octopuses. This immersive oceanic scene is complemented on the ceiling, around the perimeter of the skylight, where aquatic species in the same style as those on the walls were sgraffitoed within circular medallions. In the foyer of the inn, one finds elements such as a large, two-armed brass chandelier supported by two rampant lions, while on the staircase leading to the rooms, the architect decorated the walls with sgraffito depicting lions, a dragon, and a phoenix. Peacocks and butterflies are represented in the light well. Also noteworthy is the spectacular fireplace in the reading room, where a double-headed eagle is depicted holding the coat of arms of Spain, along with several cats at the bottom, symbolizing the defense against negativity.