Romanticism and Baroque Architecture

Romanticism was a time of enlightened thinking. People began to view their world around them as beautiful and open for discovery. It began in the second half of the 18th century and was strengthened during the industrial revolution. With this new way of thinking came a rebellious revolt against most political and social standards set by the Age of Enlightenment.


Baroque architecture began in the late sixteenth century and the major aspects of its style are new explorations in form, light, shadow, and dramatic intensity. "Whereas the Renaissance drew on the wealth and power of the Italian courts and was a blend of secular and religious forces, the Baroque was, initially at least, directly linked to the Counter-Reformation, a movement within the Catholic Church to reform itself in response to the Protestant Reformation. Baroque architecture and its embellishments were on the one hand more accessible to the emotions and on the other hand, a visible statement of the wealth and power of the Church. The new style manifested itself in particular in the context of the new religious orders, like the Theatines and the Jesuits who aimed to improve popular piety." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_architecture) Architects that had the most influence on Baroque architecture were Gianlorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini and the painter Pietro da Cortona. Each of these visionaries added their own piece of thought to Baroque architecture and evolved it into the well known form seen today. The most well known areasto see this style of architecture today is in Germany and Mexico.

Berlin Cathedral (bekah286.pbworks.com)

Mexico City (thefirstpost.co.uk)

Renaissance Architecture

"Renaissance architecture began in Florence, Italy in the early 15th century. A common feature of renaissance architecture was the dome. Almost all renaissance cathedrals had domes. Many domes had paintings or decorations on the ceilings. French renaissance architecture had outer walls, and towers, and the domes were usually only on the inside of a building. Some good examples of renaissance architecture with domes are the Duomo of Florence, and St. Peter's cathedral in Rome. Famous architects and artists such as Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo Di Vinci, and Filippo Brunelleschi were shapers of renaissance architecture." (library.thinkquest.org/16545/data/low/​renai.htm)
St. Peters(visual-arts-cork.com)

Chateau de Chambord (tourismnewsinfo.com)

Gothic Architecture

Gothic style architecture arose during the mid to late medieval times and included Romanesque and Renaissance architectural styles. Gothic architecture originated in the 12th century in France and lasted until the 16th century. The common name that most people attributed to Gothic architecture was the "French Style". It's characteristics included the pointed arch, the ribbed vault, and the flying butress. Examples of these are shown below. Gothic architecture is most familiar as the architecture of many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and churches of Europe. Major materials used are stone, brick, and a sort of mortar to hold the bricks and stone together. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture)
The names of Robert de Luzarches, Thomas de Cormont and Renaud de Cormont could once be found on an inlaid "labyrinth" in the floor of the nave of Amiens Cathedral, built between 1220-1236, but this has not been preserved. (http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/architecture/architects.html)

Pointed arch (flickr.com)


Ribbed vault (shutterstock.com)

Flying Buttress (flickr.com)

My House

Classical Architecture

Classical architecture is a mode of architecture employing vocabulary derived in part from the Greek and Roman architecture of classical antiquity, enriched by classicizing architectural practice in Europe since the Renaissance. Classical architecture has inspired many more recent architects and has led to revivals such as neoclassical architecture from the mid-18th century and the Greek Revival of the 19th century.(www.wikipedia.org)
Some elements can still be found in today's architecture. For example, the stone domes of our nation's capitol is a great example of the Classic Architecture's rendition of a domed building complex. Also, the brackets as well as the arches have the same basic idea. The architects of that time made every building symmetrical down to the smallest component.
A well known example of Classical Architecture is the  Greek Parthenon. (shown below)

(rozanehmagazine.com)
I am Irish and found a website describing architecture of the Classical period in Ireland. The first Classical public building was the Royal Hospital in Dublin. Designed by Sir William Robinson and built in 1680-84, it was a home for retired soldiers modelled on Les Invalides in Paris. The buildings are ranged around an arcaded courtyard, with the great hall and chapel on one side and the living quarters on the other three. The building is now completely restored. (http://www.ireland-information.com/reference/classic.html)


This is the Royal Hospital. (irelandposters.com)

Google Sketchup (My Bedroom)