Documenting Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires since 2007
Category: Art + Architecture
A rather average exterior —by Recoleta standards anyway— hides one of the most artistic depictions of Christ being crucified. Sometimes it pays to peek inside:
Perhaps a relative of market owner David Spinetto, the most striking thing about this family vault is that it is made of brick… or is it?? On closer inspection the façade turns out to be merely concrete marked & painted to appear like brick:
Brick has never been valued in Buenos Aires as an exterior finish. Although extensively used for the interior of walls, bricks were covered with a thin layer of concrete usually decorated to imitate stone—a technique known as simil piedra, literally “like stone” in Spanish. But since stone was in scarce supply for construction throughout the vast grasslands of the Pampas, locals decided the next best thing was to give buildings a faux finish to resemble stone.
The Spinettos took this technique even further (probably using actual brick on the interior) but choosing to decorate with faux brick instead of faux stone. Not the only example in the city, but definitely unique in Recoleta Cemetery.
Leave a CommentOne more reason to look inside family vaults… several contain Art Nouveau vases similar to the one below. With all the damage due to neglect & the passage of time, it’s amazing that any of these have survived:
Like Art Nouveau? Learn about the architects of the era, their individual styles & what makes Art Nouveau in Buenos Aires so unique with a 33-page guide from our sister site, Endless Mile.
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