Arch 218 Lecture 14 Neoclassicism
Lt: Palazzo Farnese, 1530-89, Rome, Italy. Rt: Charterhouse Sacristy, 1727-64, Granada, Spain.
Laugier disapproved of structural elements (e.g. columns) that have been made decorative, such as the pilasters of Renaissance or Churrigueresque buildings.
Rene Descartes, 1596-1650, philosophy, rationality John Locke, 1632-1704, political philosophy, empiricism Isaac Newton, 1642-1727, physics, math, science Gottfried Leibniz, 1646-1716, math, logic, metaphysics
Enlightenment: reason gave humans the ability to understand the universe and to improve their condition. Knowledge, freedom, and happiness were goals for humanity to achieve. Metaphysics-fundamental nature of being and the world. "Newton did not claim to have explained the universe, or even gravity itself: 'Pray do not ascribe that notion to me, for the cause of gravity is what I do not pretend to know.' What he did feel he had contributed to was the reconciliation between God and natural philosophy, for did not his universal law constitute a proof of the existence of a God who had designed and created the universe?" [Regnhild Hatton, 176] "Until the mid-seventeenth century most educated Europeans tended to subscribe to the belief that man's progress must be in a downward direction. God created the perfect world, man's history was one of universal decline, however slow, from the state of perfection. Analogies were drawn between the individual's progress through life - flourished, weakened and died; the universe in its turn must fade and fail. In God's own time, after the Day of Judgement, man and universe would be reborn into a new and perfect state." In the debate between 'Ancients and Moderns' led to the Enlightenment notion that knowledge and human society was actually progressing. [Regnhild Hatton, 182] Among Christian thinkers emphasis shifted from God's punishment to God's compassion and love for man. [Hatton, 183] Newton and Descartes effort to prove the existence of God led to the rise of deism and atheism. [Hatton, 188]
Lt.: Pantheon, ca 120, Rome, ITA. Rt.: Colosseum, 70-80, Rome, ITA.
In general, Neoclassical architects looked directly to Antiquity for inspiration in developing new systems of grammar from Classical elements that would get closer to the core principles of architectural design and composition. Piranesi: Partly in response to arguments for Greek architecture, Piranesi published powerful images of Roman Piranesi: Partly in response to arguments for Greek architecture, Piranesi published powerful images of Roman architecture and imaginary vaulted architecture. He argued for the virtuosity, inventiveness, and drama of Roman architecture. For Piranesi, Classical Roman architecture was not a set of rules, but a source of inspiration. The Prisons series suggested the sublime through its incomprehensible spaces, dark gloom, and images of pain. "The Round Tower," from the Prisons series (1744). Giovanni Battista Piranesi.
Lt.: Parthenon, 5th century BCE, Athens, GRC Rt.: Parthenon drawing from Antiquities of Athens (1762). Stuart and Revett.
In middle of 18th century, architects and others conducted the first systematic surveys of antique Greek sites. Stuart and Revett, along with Julien-David Le Roy, became the earliest figures to accurately measure and draw ancient Greek architecture. The scientific impulse appeared in the desire for accuracy (truth), and an understanding of Classical Greek architecture's relationship to core principles of design..
Top: San Carlo alle Quarttro Fontane, beg. 1638, Borromini, Rome, ITA. Bottom: Baths of Caracalla, 212-16, Rome, ITA.
The 17th century Baroque architects of Italy became fascinated by the complexity, dynamism, and creativity of the Classical Roman architects. They sought more sculptural and theatrical expressions of form and space molded by light and color, and put in the service of the Counter-Reformation.
Top Lt.: Sant'Andrea, beg. 1470, Alberti, Mantua, ITA. Top Rt.: Palazzo Rucellai, c.1453, Alberti, Florence, ITA. Bottom: 2nd century BCE, Temple of Fortuna Virilis, Rome, ITA.
The European Renaissance re-introduced Classical learning, the arts and culture as a valid addition to European Christian civilization. Beginning about 1420 in Italy Renaissance architecture sought to bring back the legacy of Classical architecture as it was understood through Roman examples. The Classical language of architecture was associated with the pure geometry of the circle and the square.
