Gaspar Homar i Mesquida

Gaspar Homar i Mezquida (Bunyola, Mallorca, 1870 – Barcelona, 1953). Along with Busquets he is the most outstanding Art Nouveau furniture maker and decorator.

Homar studied at the Llotja School and started work as a cabinetmaker at Francesc Vidal's Tallers Artístics, where his father worked. In 1893, father and son set up their own business on Rambla de Catalunya, and soon after Homar opened his own workshop in Carrer de la Canuda, Ciutat Vella.

He did woodwork, made furniture, mosaics, upholstery, rugs and lights.

He gained international renown at the fairs between 1907 and 1911, in London, Venice, Paris and Buenos Aires, coinciding with his productive high point.

Homar was known for his refined, simple style, which was greatly influenced by Japonism and the more innovative English and Viennese styles, especially after 1900. One of the main features of his work is the use of marquetry with female figures and geometric floral patterns.

He often worked in collaboration with the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner furnishing many of his interiors, such as Casa Thomas, the Bar Association premises when it was in Casa de l’Ardiaca, in the Gothic Quarter and Casa Lleó Morera, in Barcelona, and the Pere Mata Institute and Casa Navàs, in Reus. He also worked with Josep Puig i Cadafalch on the Amatller and Trinxet houses, both in Barcelona.