Eighteenth Century Architecture

Eighteenth Century Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

Topics • Neo-Classicism • French Neo-Classicism • English Neo-Classicism

Neo-Classicism • The Palladians of England were among the first to undertake a thorough study and revival of architecture from the past • The artistic elite of Europe had renewed an interest in the architecture of antiquity (Roman and Greek) in the middle of the eighteenth century • Became known as the Neo-Classical Period • New Classical

Neo-Classicism • Artists and architects of the Neo-Classical Period gained an accurate understanding of actual buildings and art works from the past • Historians also began to thoroughly study these ancient civilizations • A strong popularity in these antiquities spread through mainstream society during this period

French Neo-Classicism • French Neo-Classicism • Ste.-Genevieve, Paris • Has been known as the Pantheon since the French Revolution • Designed by Jacques-Germain Soufflot • His only major structure • Built on a Greek-cross scheme • Features five domes

French Neo-Classicism http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.html

French Neo-Classicism • Petit Trianon, Versailles • Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel • Considered one of the most perfect buildings in France • Has an overwhelming theme of dignity and elegance

French Neo-Classicism • Place de la Concorde, Paris • Constructed from 1755 – 1775 • Constructed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel • Previously known as Place Louis XV • A radical departure from the square palaces of the baroque period • Features a large courtyard with a giant fountain at the center

French Neo-Classicism • Ecole de Chirurgie, Paris • A school of surgery • Now known as Ecole de Medecine • Designed by Jacques Gondoin • Considered a radical neo-classic structure • A fusion of modern and neo-classicism

English Neo-Classicism • George Dance II • Important English neo-classic architect • Known for a sever manner in style and design • Important structures • Newgate Prison, London • Common Council Chamber, Guildhall, London

English Neo-Classicism • Newgate Prison • 1768 – 1769 • Quarters were completely windowless for absolute security • Charles Dickens described the Entrance Way to this prison as “One way” and “looking as if they were made for the express purpose of letting people in, and never letting them out again.” • Newgate Prison was eventually demolished in 1902

English Neo-Classicism http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.html

English Neo-Classicism • Common Council Chamber, Guildhall, London • Designed in 1777 • Was later destroyed • Central space was covered by a pendentive dome over simple piers and arches • Combined medievalism and Neo-Classicism

English Neo-Classicism http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.html

References • Sullivan, Mary; http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ • http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.html • Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity • Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

Eighteenth Century Architecture Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

Eighteenth Century Architecture