Subirachs, the last sculptor of the final western cathedral

Not long before his sixtieth birthday, in January 1987, the sculptor settled down in the Sagrada Família itself in order to carry out his most challenging and ambitious artistic project. This consisted of covering the atrium in the Passion façade of the Temple with a hundred sculptures. The Sagrada Família had been planned from 1883 by Gaudí, one of the most brilliant architects of modern times.
Subirachs has been fortunate to have available and sculpt one of the most recognised, emblematic surfaces of the international art of the twentieth century. However, he has had to pay a high price for it. His work doesn't leave people indifferent. In fact, it has even proved controversial, which explains why not only does he have faithful supporters, but also detractors.
Independent and with a strong personality, the artist decided to reside in the cathedral, since Subirachs needs to live where he develops his job. He regards it as his own life. Therefore, living inside his work of art allows him to work full-time.
Subirachs's 37 m living space is located below the stonemasons' yard. His assignment will be over by 2004 although, by then, there will be a century left before the construction of the cathedral is concluded.

The Passion façade recounts the last two days of Jesus's life. The sculptor uses his personal style both to avoid causing confusion with the original work by Gaudí and to continue his own artistic path.
The narrative order follows on ascending line that climbs from bottom left up towards the right in the he shape of an "S" - as in bustrophedic writing- following the way of Calvary: from the Last Supper right up to the Entombment, top right. The narration is then inscribed on three levels.
At the lowest level, where the people are directly involved, we find the Last Supper, Judas's kiss, the Flagellation ( at the centre of the mullion), Peter's denials and Jesus's trial. The second level begins with the climb up to mount Calvary and the scenes shown are: Jesus's first fall, meeting the women of Jerusalem, Veronica and the equestrian figure of Longí. Situated on the highest level at left are the soldiers throwing dice for the clothes , the group of the Crucifixion in the centre, at the highest point of the atrium presiding over the whole façade - the culmination moment of the narration- and the Entombment at the end.