The construction of this amazing cathedral began in 1230 and it is a beautiful example of gothic style architecture. However, I would like to have a look at two more recent additions by two different artists – even if I see some similarities in their work. First is the canopy by Antoni Gaudí in the Royal Chapel and the second is the decoration in the Chapel of the Santísima by Miguel Barceló.
Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) worked in Palma from 1904 until 1914. He gave the old gothic cathedral modern chic – opening up the whole interior by moving the choir stalls and placing this astonishing playful canopy above the heads. It represents the Crown of Thorns and is made of wrought iron. In 1914 he had an argument with the contractor and he left. He was in fact glad as there was just one and only work in his heart by then, to which he was dedicated till his last breath – and that was Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Chapel of the Santísima as decorated by an artist from Mallorca, Felanitx, Miquel Barceló (born in 1957). It was inaugurated in 2007. It is a huge ceramic tableau, almost 300 sq m in size, depicting scenes from the Bible – the New Testament – the Gospel according to John – Chapter 6 – Jesus Feeds Five Thousand Men – how Jesus multiplied food. Lower part of the chapel can be seen in the photo.
Chapel of the Santísima as decorated by Miquel Barceló, who was inspired by Gaudí and that is why the chapel even gives an impression as if Gaudí himself would have made it 🙂 Five gothic chapel windows are covered by Barcello´s ceramic creation, too. Barceló did not attend the consecration, he proclained himself agnostic, causing uproar. Agnosticism claims that : “It is impossible to know the the essence of things or the world”. Knowledge is limited to experience. Upper part of the chapel can be seen in the photo.