'JEWELS OF ART NOUVEAU'
ÉMILE GALLÉ AND GLASS ART
The collection, previously owned by a noble family from Madrid, also includes works by other artists contemporary to Gallé, some trained in his workshops. The ensemble stands out for its rich colors and the use of nature-inspired motifs. To achieve this, Gallé created a botanical garden in his workshop to have easy and accurate access to the models that inspired him and his apprentices.
The technique of acid etching is the star of this exhibition. It is a method that allows the identification of different relief patterns, thus creating a subtle blend of effects between polished, matte, and satin glass. To perform it, the decoration is first drawn in negative on the glass piece, which is coated with a base of Judea bitumen. Then, the piece is immersed in a bath of hydrofluoric acid. This acid attacks the unprotected parts of the piece, bringing the decoration to life in different shades.
UNIQUE DETAILS IN EVERY CORNER
The construction of Hotel Bagués 5* is a work of art in itself; the materials and shapes are inspired by those used by the couple Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald at The Willow Tearooms in Glasgow.
An element that stands out for its beauty and impressive size is the large golden sculpture representing a climbing plant. Created by the School of Arts and Crafts of Cuenca, it runs through the building along the main staircase, serving as the backbone of this boutique hotel.
JORDI CLOS
THE COLLECTOR
In addition to being a hotelier, Jordi Clos is an Egyptologist, collector and patron of the arts. He chairs the Clos Archaeological Foundation and the Egyptian Museum in Barcelona, containing the largest private collection of Egyptian art in Europe shown to the public. Clos has been financing archaeological excavations in Egypt for more than twenty years.
