NEOCLASSICALARCHITECTURE

INTRODUCTION TO NEOCLASSICISM

began in the mid-18th century as a return to idealized & authentic classical forms, in reaction to the excesses of Baroque & Rococo interpretations

of Classicism

one of many revivals of ancient Greek & Roman styles in the history of architecture

earlier revivals include the Romanesque, Renaissance & Baroque styles

INTRODUCTION TO NEOCLASSICISM

in its purest form, it is a style principally derived from the architecture of Classical Greece & the architecture of Italian Andrea Palladio

INTRODUCTION TO NEOCLASSICISM

~intellectually Neoclassicism was symptomatic of a desire to return to the perceived "purity" of the arts of Rome, the more vague perception ("ideal") of Ancient Greek arts and, to a lesser extent, sixteenth-century Renaissance Classicism~

CHARACTERISTICS

symmetrical shape

tall columns that rise the full height of the building

triangular pediment

domed roof

CHARACTERISTICS

obsessed with straight lines, archaeological motifs

& idealized vision of nature

FRANCE

~Neoclassicism first gained influence in Paris~

~architects laid the rational & geometrical groundwork for architecture~

FRANCE

Palace of Versailles, France Pantheon, Paris

ENGLAND

~neoclassical architecture interweaved with the Picturesque tradition~

~values order, harmony, balance & tradition in the work of art~

ENGLAND

Picturesque meaning literally "in the manner of a picture; fit to be made into a picture"

was a word used as early as 1703 (Oxford English Dictionary)

derived from an Italian term pittoresco, meaning, "in the manner of a painter"

William Gilpin's Essay on Prints (1768) defined picturesque as " ... a term expressive of that peculiar kind of beauty, which is agreeable in a picture"

AMERICA

~ started about 1780s until 1850s ~

~ symbolizes the value of the newly established republic ~

AMERICA

~use of colonnades & arches, bricks / stone facades~

~overall building design usually follows the pattern of classical column~

~ a prominent base with a ceremonial entrance ~

~ a uniform shaft with little decoration ~

~a distinctive pronounce top~

AMERICA – FEDERALIST STYLE

Federalist style

~the American version of neoclassical architecture~

~a traditionalist approach to classicism, heavily influenced by English models~

~ famous architects – Charles Bulfinch, Samuel McIntire ~

Old State House, Hartford Derby Summer House, Massachusetts

CHARLES BULFINCH

~his works are notable for their simplicity, balance & good taste~

~as the origin of a distinctive Federal style of classical domes, columns, & ornament that dominated early 19th-century American architecture~

Massachusetts Statehouse, Boston

AMERICA – IDEALIST STYLE

Idealist style

~ an intellectual & moral approach to classicism, at first linked to Roman models~

~symbolic & associational values stressed, with a goal of creating an expressive ‘speaking architecture’~

~famous architect – Thomas Jefferson~

Monticello – Jefferson’s residence Drayton Hall, Carolina

AMERICA – IDEALIST STYLE

~ influenced by French neo-classicism in his search for an architecture which would symbolize the values of the newly established republic ~

~ created & designed the University of Virginia, with the awareness that in order to fulfill his vision of a new American society, public education is necessary~

~ architectural form of university, rooted in ideas for an academic village~

~head of composition was the great circular library modeled on the Pantheon~

Rotunda at the University of VirginiaRoman Pantheon

AMERICA – RATIONALIST STYLE

Baltimore Basilica, BaltimoreUnited States Capitol, Washington

Rationalist style

~ emphasized structure & classical building techniques, such as stone vaulting & domes ~

~ example of architect – Benjamin Latrobe ~

AMERICA – RATIONALIST STYLE

Interior of Baltimore Basilica, Baltimore

AMERICA – GREEK REVIVAL STYLE

Capitol building, IndianapolisCapitol Building, Columbus

Greek Revival style 1818-1850

~ the first truly national style in the United States ~

~ the popularity of the style was due to strong associations with classical tradition & democracy~

~ the Greek Revival was very adaptable ~

THE END

• In England – neoclassical architecture interweaved with the Picturesque tradition

• In Germany – a national style developed with a cultural significance• Originally, it begun with the influence by etchings of Roman buildings by

Giovanni Battista Piranesi• Later, after the discoveries in Herculaneum, Pompeii and Athens, people

have clearer idea of what they want to achieve through this architecture• The influence does not only stop in Europe, but also went across the

Atlantic to America

Example of buildings in Europe

Carousel du Louvre, Paris Arch de Triomphe du Carousel, Paris

The extent of influence

In America it started about 1780s until 1850sSymbolizes the value of the newly established republicDivided into 4 phases

- Federalist style- Idealist style- Rationalist- Greek revival

Amongst the characteristics are the use of colonnades and arches, bricks or stone facades, the overall building design usually follows the pattern of classical column; a pronounced base with a ceremonial entrance, a uniform shaft with little decoration, and a distinctive pronounce top.

• influenced by French neo-classicism in his search for an architecture which would symbolize the values of the newly established republic

• statesman, politician, lawyer, author, educator and architect, he may be the first American who have objectively thought about architecture in terms of a return to the first principles

• his residence, Monticello – has the effect of a one-storeyed building like the villas of ancient Rome, & recalls the life of ancient Roman farms

• symbol of order, harmony and poetic• created and designed the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, with

the awareness that in order to fulfill his vision of a new American society, public education is necessary

• architectural form of university, rooted in ideas for an academic village• comprised of two lines of 5 pavilion linked by colonnades• head of composition was the great circular library modeled on the

pantheon

Exterior of Drayton Hall, Charleston

Jefferson Library of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1817-26

The different phases • Rationalist – Emphasized structure and classical building techniques, such

as stone vaulting and domes. Example of architect – Benjamin Latrobe

Benjamin Latrobe• Jefferson’s desire for monumental buildings as symbols of the high moral

purpose of the infant republic led him to announce a competition in 1792 for the United States Capitol and President’s House in Washington, Latrobe was amongst the winner

• Bank of Pennsylvania – Greek Ionic portico at each end and resembles a temple

• Capitol – flanked by 24 corinthian columns, Supreme Court chamber – 3 arches supported on stunted Greek Doric columns of sandstone and strangely lobed umbrella-like half dome (shows influence by Ledoux)

• In lower staircase-vestibule – columns with an American order of maize-leaf capitals, described as the new order of classical architecture

• The columns of the rotunda, 16 in number, must be more slender than the ionic order will admit, and ought not to be of the Corinthian because the chamber itself is of the ionic order, Latrobe have composed a capital of leaves and flowers of the tobacco plant which has an intermediate effect approaching the Corinthian order, and retaining the simplicity of the Clepsydra or Temple of the Winds

Exterior of the Capitol, Washington by Latrobe

Interior of St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Baltimore by Latrobe

The staircase vestibule with maize-leaf capitals in the Capitol, Washington by Latrobe