Roberto Gramajo Teacher of English

Architecture second year Tourism
CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE

The Leading arts to be developed during the Intelectual Revolution were architecture and painting. Sculpture ceased to be an independent art, as it had been in the Renaissance and it was relegated to its earlier function of a mere aid to the adornment of buildings.
Classicism meant a recapture of the spirit of ancient Greece and Rome. But this revival was different to that of the Renaissance because it was much more sentimental, grandiose and extravagant. Besides, it was less sincere, since it was employed for the glorification of despotic monarchs.

Baroque style
It originated in Italy and it spread to France, England and Spain. It was adopted for churches, palaces opera houses, museums and Government buildings. Examples of this style are the Palace of Verasilles in France, and Government houses in Brussels among others.


Its main characteristics were:
Hugeness
Artificiality
Exterior Extravagance of ornamentation
Classical elements: column, pediments, sculptural representation of
mythological scenes.


Gilt and silver
Flashing mirrors
Interior Coloured marble (sometimes covered with pieces of tapestry decorated
with the Lyz flower which identified the Bourbon dynasty
Carpeted flower
Crystal chandeliers
Sofas covered with silk

The baroque style symbolized the rise of powerful dynastic states and the growth of luxury due to the commercial revolution and the resources from South America.



Rococo style
During the 18th century the pompous architectural style of the Bourbons gave way to other adaptation of the classical. The first to be developed was rococo in France, so called from the fantastic scrolls and shell- like designs which were commonly employed for ornamentation.
The rococo was lighter and les extravagant that the Baroque. It was more graceful and refined.
The “Petit Trianon” at Versailles and the palace of Sans Souci built for Frederick the Great are examples of this style.


Georgian Style
This style was a reaction against Baroque and Rococo. It emerged in 18th century. It is less flamboyant. The best results were achieved in England and in American colonies; that is why it is also called colonial style. It took the name Georgian because it was the time of the four Georges in England from the Hannoverian dynasty. (1714-1830)

Retained some elements from the Baroque as columns and dormer
Characteristics window.
It had plain walls and roof.