A Wall of Bubbles: Finding Rhythm in Modernist Glass

Monochrome photography from Barcelona in Spain

In the pursuit of architectural grandeur in Barcelona, it’s often the small, repetitive elements that hold the greatest visual power. This photograph captures one such instance, transforming a simple window into a field of mesmerising pattern and light.

The subject is a panel of bullseye glass (rondels), where individual discs of glass are joined together to form a transparent mosaic. In this high-contrast black and white image, the effect is almost psychedelic. The glass, likely from a window within the Casa Amatller, acts as a natural lens, with the thick central point of each disc creating a dark, concentric ring—a perfect dot—while the surrounding thinner glass glows white with reflected or transmitted light.

The composition highlights the grid and the circle, the intersection of human design and natural imperfection. The light coming through is not clear but warped, textured, and broken into a thousand tiny visual beats. The deep surrounding blackness pushes the illuminated circles forward, creating a dramatic sense of depth and focus.

This detail serves as a powerful reminder that the genius of Catalan Modernisme lay not only in its grand façades and swirling forms but also in its dedication to texture and the ingenious use of traditional materials to create dynamic, modern effects. It’s a window that doesn’t just let in light; it creates art with it.