Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Polychromatic Trencadís Mosaic Medallion Fragment of the Serpentine Bench at Park Güell

2063

Catalan Modernisme, 1900–1914

A circular decorative mosaic medallion embedded within the backrest of the continuous serpentine bench on the main terrace of Park Güell, designed by Antoni Gaudí and primarily executed by Josep Maria Jujol between 1900 and 1914. The medallion features a distinct circular composition anchored by a central saucer fragment, from which swirling pinwheel-like arms radiate outward in a pattern reminiscent of marine life or celestial forms. Intact three-dimensional found objects — cup rings, saucer bases, small ceramic beads and knobs — are pressed directly into the mortar surface to project outward from the mosaic plane. The surrounding field of white trencadís isolates the medallion as a jewel-like focal point within the sweeping serpentine bench. The palette transitions through deep cobalt blues, turquoise, warm yellows, earthy greens, and white.