Art History Mid Term

How did Eclecticism clash with modern skyscraper architecture as seen in the Woolworth Tower?

"The long struggle to find an appropriate eclectic style for skyscraper design produced many strange, even absurd, efforts." The Woolworth Tower (1913) was the tallest building in New York and Is the work of architect Cass Gilbert, who was an employee for McKim, Mead, & White where he learned his beaux-art skill. This skyscraper and many other skyscrapers of this time were a mess of many different styles. There was certainly impressive designs but oddly unrelated to the purposes and ownership of the building. "the outside of the Woolworth Building was clothed in Gothic- style detail. In the public lobby, however, Gilbert turned to Byzantine detail, for which he used marble and mosaics." (Pile, 314 para 3)

Explain the successful architectural practice of McKim, Mead and White, especially with regard to the design of the Boston Public Library.

Charles Follen McKim, Stanford White, and William Mead came together and created a hugely successful and influential firm. Their early work resembles a "picturesque" Victorian Shingle style, but their originality made their designs famous. All three had their strengths and what the brought to the table. McKim was a specialist in choosing adaptions from previous styles, White strength was his brilliant and imaginative designs "inclined to a freer use of historic precedents", while Mead provided organizational back-up for the design partners and dealt with more of the construction side. In the Boston Public Library, which they designed, the detail is derived from the Italian Renaissance, painted wooden beams overhead, massive fireplace with mantel, marble corinthian column doorways, and a band of murals painted around. This building became a huge historical architectural piece. (Pile, 310 para 2)

Compare American Victorian interior home design with British interior design.

Victorian design in America and England were very similar, each were very elaborate ornate designs, English work tends to be more "orderly and disciplined.. and professional" where as American design is more free form and improvised resulting in something more creative. England's design characteristics for the exteriors is in the Regency or Gothic Revival style with touches of decorative detail in the Victorian style. The interiors were arranged whatever level of Victorian detail that appealed to them. (Pile, 254) Americans like having a class-less society after the Revolutionary war but still had a large awareness for the appearance of wealth. They took fo=rom England and used their idea more creatively. Architecture and interior design turned away from such functional concerns to embrace more pretentious and ostentatious aspects of the Victorian style. There are several sub- styles of Victorianism, Carpenter Gothic, Talianate, Mansardic, and Queen Anne. (Pile, 255-256)

What made the interior designs of Richard Norman Shaw so unique in Victorian England?

Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912) had a long and strong career, he produced a large amount of work in the Victorian style. His preferred style, called Old English, was "a mix of half timber and masonry. He crafted his own personal style which is now called Queen Anne, which embraced a more creative and individualistic style. His works were unique and original. The interiors of his works were heavily in decorative details with intricate interior plans. Asymmetrical interior spaces such as nooks, and bays and asymmetrical, irregular exteriors. (Pile, 254, para 2)

Describe how the industrial revolution presented new opportunities as well as new problems for architects and designers.

The industrial revolution brought about major advances in appliances for dwellings such as heating with coal, plumbing systems, running water, and warm air systems (Pile, p.244-245 para. 4-5, 2014). These made living situations much more convenient and functional. However, the industrial revolution also brought people into the cities for work which meant living spaces that were "scarce and expensive" (Pile, p.245 note 11.15, 2014).

What was Adolf Loos' thesis in his essay Ornament and Crime?

Adolf Loos' thesis "attacks the use of ornament, which he viewed as a needless expression of degeneracy that modern civilization could best eliminate." In "Ornament und Verbrechen" (Ornament and Crime) of 1908, Loos's attempts to make a clear association between ornament and criminality. (Pile, 298 para 2)

Explain the influence of Japanese design on the late 19th century Aesthetic Movement in Europe.

In the late 19th century during the Aesthetic Movement in Europe, British designers style was highly influenced by Morris's Arts and Crafts movement which tied in Japanese prints and ceramics. During this time Christopher Dresser, a designer focused on decorative design, became interested in Japanese art and design. He then eventually established himself as a commercial designer, which he produced designs for pottery, porcelain, glassware, textiles, wallpapers etc. on the industrial scale for the first time. Edward W. Godwin, another designer of the time, focused his work on furniture design based on Japanese precedents. His design firm was focused on "Anglo-Japanese" style furniture that attracted a following among the elite known for light and delicate decoration. (Pile, 275)

What is the connection between John Ruskin's Seven Lamps of Architecture and Christian morals?

John Ruskin writes The Seven Lamps of Architecture in 1849. Ruskin says, "Until common sense finds it's way into architecture, there can be but little hope for it." His idea was the seven lamps stood for sacrifice, truth, power, beauty, life, memory, obedience. Decoration was meaningful by the craftsman, "this combination of a desire for honesty in terms of expression of function, material, and techniques of production, combined with a conviction that only hand craft can achieve such honesty, is the central doctrine of the movement." (Pile, 241)

Describe how the rise of church construction in the United States in the late 19th century impacted the career of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Louis Comfort Tiffany, previous found of a well known jewelry firm, designed interiors that followed the Victorian style taste for rich elaboration "modified by the awareness of the Arts and Crafts movement" meaning it's he didn't followed previous rules and was able to be more creative. He created a Tiffany Glass Company and started specializing in producing stained glass. He was commission to do many churches in America, his stained glass became a huge style trend in buildings other than churches. (Pile, 300, para. 1)

How did the ideals of Neoclassicism find expression in American architecture? -In the United States Capital. -Massachusetts State House.

Neoclassicism found expression in American architecture in the US Capital through "American variations on the Greek orders" (Pile 226). For example, Benjamin Latrobe chose to use "tabbacco leaves and corn husks in place of acanthus leaves" (Pile 226) which was much appreciated by the members of Congress because it spoke more to North America than it did Europe. This expression of neoclassicism was also seen in the Massachusetts State House through federal furniture that consisted of "mahogany wood [...] and heavier, more massive forms" (Pile 228).

How does Thomas Jefferson incorporate the ideals of the enlightenment into the design of the University of Virginia?

Thomas Jefferson incorporated the ideals of the enlightenment into his design of the University of Virginia by making spaces functional and useful. For example, "the domed rotunda is modeled on the roman Pantheon, [however], internally it is a surprise to find that there is no large domed space; instead, its function is a library" (Pile 224). This follows enlightenment because it emphasizes reason and gives every space a purpose.

Briefly describe the stylistic changes Ithiel Town and Alexander Jackson Davis underwent in their careers.

Town and Davis were both very into Greek revival style but switched over to becoming Greek revivalists once they realized that is where most people's taste was moving (Pile, p.240 para.2, 2014). David created the essay of the mansion overlooking the Hudson river with a grand tower and gothic details to speak to the publics interest.