Mies van der Rohe's Life Becomes a Graphic Novel

A new graphic novel titled 'Mies' by Spanish illustrator Agustín Ferrer Casas chronicles the life of modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969). Published by Grafito Editorial, the 176-page volume covers key events from his Bauhaus years, escape from Nazi Germany, and his work in Chicago, including iconic projects like the Barcelona Pavilion (1929) and the Seagram Building in New York (designed with Philip Johnson, 1958). The book is a fictionalized biography based on writings by Mies and others, aiming to reveal his personality and ambition. British architect Norman Foster wrote the preface, praising Mies as one of the few 20th-century architects who shaped present and future architecture. The release coincides with the 50th anniversary of Mies's death, amid numerous global celebrations. The graphic novel joins a growing trend of illustrated biographies of artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Caravaggio, Andy Warhol, and Yayoi Kusama.