Neoclassical Effect on Architecture

Neoclassical Effect on Architecture

Simple and symmetrical forms, geometrical pattern, the splendor of scale, minimum decoration… How did the elaborateness in ornaments, attentiveness to detail, and asymmetrical visuals yield the floor to these architectural elements? Here, the effect of Neoclassicism enters the debate. Neoclassicism occurred as a movement between the 18th and 19th centuries. The movement was influenced by the centuries of Ancient Greece from the 8th to 4th and Rome from the 5th to 1st BC. Neoclassicists were impressed by the magnificent ruins of Greek and Roman culture. The peak of Neoclassicism was in the 18th century, also known as the period of the Enlightenment era. The increase of the use of Neoclassical style in Europe and America occurred as a result of the popularity of the Grand tour, meaning the fashionableness of collecting antiquities. As a result, they tried to recreate them and achieve perfectionism in Classicism. Despite the aim for recreating, Neoclassicists’ products turned out to be not quite loyal to the Classical culture.

Neoclassicism affected philosophy, music, literature, and archaeology. One of the areas that had gotten affected greatly was architecture. Primarily, the Neoclassical effect on architecture had emerged as a response to the Classical effect on architecture; Rococo and Baroque. These two architectural styles have the opposite architectural elements of Neoclassical architecture. There are two phases of Neoclassical architecture. The first phase is the Palladian period between 1700-1750 that was rooted in the designs of the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. After 1750, the second phase is “High Neoclassicism” or basically Neoclassicism. The distinction between these two phases is, Palladianism we can see an integration of Roman-style to architecture, whereas the Greek-style version is valid in the High Neoclassicism phase.

As it was mentioned before; Neoclassical architecture characteristics are the splendor of scale, simple and symmetrical forms, Greek or Roman style in details, use of columns, and mostly blank walls due to the desire for simplicity. In detail, even the roofs are flat, and gardens have geometrical patterns rather than leaving nature to be itself. Nonetheless, one of the distinctive characteristics of Neoclassical architecture was the use of Classical order in columns: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. All three of them were taken from the Greek style of architecture. As a result, there are features of Neoclassical architecture that were successful in its aim and there are many magnificent Neoclassical architecture examples. Let’s look at some of them.

One of the most famous examples of the Palladian period is the Chiswick House in London. It was completed in 1729 and designed by Richard Boyle. The building has a stepped dome with a façade influenced by the Roman Pantheon. Its floor plan includes circles and rectangular, representing the geometrical side of the Neoclassical architecture. The aim of the architect was to create an authentic Roman villa replication.

The Panthéon is another outstanding example of Neoclassical architecture built by the architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot and completed in 1790. At first, it was built as the Church of Sainte-Geneviève and after the French Revolution, it was named the Panthéon. The building looks like a Roman temple. It has Corinthian columns supporting its high dome. The plan of the building is a Greek-cross plan with a portico.

The Academy of Athens is one of the Neoclassical masterpieces. It was built by the Danish architect Theophil Hansen and completed in 1885. We can see its main building, there are also a university and a national library also built by the same architect. There are Doric columns supporting the triangular pediment. This building was influenced by the Parthenon.

Sources:

Books:

• Biris, M. G., Kardamitsi-Adami, M. M., & Hardy, D. A. (2004). Neoclassical architecture in Greece. Los Angeles Calif.: The J. Paul Getty Museum.
• Palmer, A. L. (2020). Historical dictionary of neoclassical art and architecture. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, an imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group.

Websites:

• Design, W. (n.d.). Neoclassical architecture style and defining characteristics. Retrieved April 04, 2021, from https://www.worldofleveldesign.com/categories/architecture/neoclassical/neoclassical_architecture.php
• Marcoux, S. (2020, October 12). These are 21 of the most influential neoclassical buildings in the world. Retrieved April 04, 2021, from https://www.veranda.com/travel/g34299821/best-neoclassical-architecture/?slide=1