Artists in Europe (Stripes Europe)
There are many famous artists who come from Europe. They all have unique styles. Each of these artists used mosaic as inspiration in their artwork.
A mosaic is an artwork made by putting together small pieces to create a picture or pattern.
Antoni Gaudi | Catalan, Spain
Art Style: Architecture and design
Fountain mosaic salamander Antoni Gaudi typical mosaic Barcelona (MM - Adobe Stock)
Gaudi was a great architect. However, he also created amazing mosaics and is known as “The Mosaic Genius of Barcelona.” He used the trencar technique. Trencar means “to break” in Catalan. It is when an artist uses broken ceramic pieces like tiles and plates to create new shapes and designs. Throughout the city of Barcelona, you can see Gaudi’s bright, colorful designs dancing across buildings and along walkways. The Park Güell is another place where you can see his architecture and mosaics. A giant mosaic salamander that looks like it came straight out of a fairytale will welcome you at the entrance.
M.C. Escher | The Netherlands
Art Style: Graphic design and optical illusions
M. C. Escher Hyperbolic Dreams (Von Алексей Калашников - Adobe Stock)
M.C. Escher is one of the world’s most famous graphic artists. He was born in the Netherlands. He also lived in Rome and Switzerland. During his travels he enjoyed the mosaic tilework at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Escher was inspired by mathematics and optical illusions. An optical illusion is when an image tricks our brains into seeing something that may or may not be real. Escher did this by using patterns, mathematics, colors, shading and light. When looking at one of his drawings, you might see a duck at first, and then suddenly see a bunny.
Gustav Klimt | Vienna, Austria
Art Style: Symbolist painting
Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) The Kiss, 1908, oil and gold on canvas. Autrian Gallery Belvedere, Vienna, Austria. (Von GiorgioMorara - Adobe Stock)
Gustav Klimt was an Austrian artist mainly inspired by Japanese art. But it was during trips to Italy, where he saw beautiful mosaics. They inspired his ‘golden phase’. Klimt combined gold leaf painting techniques with imagery from the Byzantine Empire. In famous works like “The Kiss,” Klimt pieces together smaller images like swirls and flowers, to make the larger images more meaningful. For example, the flowers in the woman’s hair in “The Kiss” make her look more pretty and connected to nature.
