19. Can Forteza Rei and "L'Àguila" stores: Modernism during the 20th century.

©Text i fotos: Àngel Gené i Ramis; traducció a l'anglès: Montserrat Casanovas i Stobart; suport informàtic: Martí Gené i Ramis

Author:
The silversmith Lluís Forteza Rei.
Period and style:
Early 20th century; Modernism.

Formal analysis (description):
The facade shows the influence of Gaudí (similar to La Roqueta) and it favours the vegetal decorative motifs as well as fantasy beings in stone.
It shows a superficial modernism on the facade although other elements such as the entrance, the arches or the stairs confirm its status as a modernist work.



Author of the Aguila Stores:
Gaspar Bennàzar.
Period and Style:
1908, Modernism
Formal analysis (description):
- Iron holders on the first three floors with a large glass surface.
- Ornamental white and green pottery, following the Art Nouveau features.

- Iron banisters with stylized vegetal motifs.
- Vegetal decorative motifs on both sides of the last floor, which remind us of the railway bridge made by Bennàzar in Palma.

Commentary:
It seems that Bennàzar was not comfortable with the use of vegetal motifs, they are significant but short. The building seems part of a geometric scheme, characteristic of the Viennese art, especially if we consider that the arch of the facade seems inspired by Oto Wagner’s metro of Vienna.