The satires about Casa Milà

Casa Milà is one of Antoni Gaudí’s most iconic works and a prominent symbol of Catalan Modernism and universal architecture. However, during its time, its uniqueness wasn’t universally admired, and Casa Milà became the target of numerous satires and caricatures.

Satire in Gaudí’s era

Satire is a literary form, often paired with a drawing or cartoon, aimed at criticising a subject for moralistic purposes, entertainment or sheer mockery.

When La Pedrera was built between 1906 and 1912, satire was a common feature in newspapers. Satirical pieces could be found in the press, children’s magazines and even dedicated satirical publications, which were highly popular at the time.

The construction of such an innovative building as La Pedrera didn’t escape criticism. Its distinctive structure became a source of public ridicule, appearing in various satirical publications between 1909 and 1925.

Casa Milà in satirical magazines

Between 1909 and 1925, several satirical magazines in Barcelona remarked on La Pedrera’s striking impression on the society of its time.

One of the earliest known instances appeared in the magazine ¡Cut-cut! in January 1909, featuring a cartoon of a mother and son walking past La Pedrera. The son asks: “Mother, did an earthquake happen here as well?” This remark alluded to the building’s façade during construction, which appeared as though it had been shaken by an earthquake, much like Sicily had a month earlier.

One of the last satirical mentions of Casa Milà appeared in the children’s magazine En Patufet in May 1925. The cartoon’s dialogue mocked the building’s balconies and the challenges of hanging decorative fabrics during festivities. The illustration depicted one of the balconies as being made up of a mix of objects, ranging from snails to coffee pots. This publication is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first recorded instance of the building being referred to by its now-famous nickname, La Pedrera. Initially used pejoratively, the name has since become a celebrated symbol of Casa Milà’s identity.