Nothing is transmissible but thought

Abstract

This review concerns the Spanish edition of Mise au Point, the book that Le Corbusier left incomplete at his death, and which was published posthumously in 1966. This edition, edited by Jorge Torres and published by Abada, contains a Spanish translation of the text, enhanced by the inclusion of various scholarly notes, which not only clarify contextual details and correct some small mistakes, but also draw connections with books that Le Corbusier probably read during his lifetime and a series of texts previously written by him. There is also a second volume, which places the Corbusian style in context, revealing aspects of the writing process, his literary style, its peculiarities and even the degree to which the editor of the first edition, Jean Petit, intervened in the text. Thus, this edition not only bears witness once more to Le Corbusier’s immense legacy, but also to the fruitfulness of the research into his oeuvre and thought. It makes a very substantial contribution to our knowledge of the architect – proving that, though much has already been said, there is still almost everything left to say.