Barcelona

by Vlindertuin-Art

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and has a distinct cultural identity, with its own language and a rich artistic heritage. The city is known worldwide for Catalan Modernism, a movement from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that has profoundly shaped its architecture and cityscape. Alongside the influence of masters such as Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Barcelona boasts a vibrant tradition of Mediterranean cuisine, folk festivals and a strong connection to the sea.

Travel posters emerged in the nineteenth century when the rise of lithography and rail travel made it possible to reach large audiences. Governments and railway companies used these posters to stimulate tourism and promote remote areas. From the 1920s and 1930s onwards, they developed their distinctive, stylised visual language, centred on simplified forms and flat colours. This visual tradition emphasised recognisability and romanticism, and set the visual standard for the tourism industry for decades before photography became dominant.

This retro poster features a selection of recognisable Barcelona landmarks. A woman takes centre stage in the image, surrounded by the Basilica of the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, the Montjuïc funicular, the Columbus Monument and the Torre Glòries in the background.