Talk:Neoclassical architecture

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Older discussion
The significance of Clérisseau in the formation of Neoclassical architecture can be regarded as slightly inflated. Some reference should be made to the significance of Jean-Laurent Le Geay. See the article by John Harris, 'Le Geay, Piranesi and International Neo-classicism in Rome 1740-1750' 84.203.6.51 04:34, 2 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Surely some mention should be made of the Pombaline Style. Twospoonfuls 13:37, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Can anybody answer
Why this



is called Neo-Classicism

and this



is Indo-Saracenic? --Dojarca 17:41, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
 * The Victoria Memorial is Classical but incorporates some Indian elements like onion domes. It could be argued that it belongs in both categories, but I think it lacks the "purity" associated with true neo-classical architecture. AFCR 11:16, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

I agree, surely too much credit has been given to Clérisseau for the formation of Neoclassical architecture; Jean-Laurent Le Geay is indeed significant. However, it seems that English architects are all too often seen as following the French lead. It must not be forgotten that Stuart and Revett travelled to Greece between 1751 and 1754, and would publish their work as The Antiquities of Athens in 1762. Julien-David Le Roy – who arrived in Greece a few weeks after the departure of Stuart and Revett – had published Ruines des plus beaux monuments de la Grèce in 1758, but this was an inferior survey of lower quality and narrower focus than Stuart and Revett’s. Furthermore, Stuart would go on to create the earliest suite of neoclassical rooms in Europe at Spencer House in London (1758-59). Stuart was also commissioned after his return from Greece by George Lyttelton to design a garden temple at Hagley Hall (1758-59): the first Greek Revival building of any pretension in Europe. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.208.131.157 (talk) 20:06, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

American Neoclassicism
This article only discusses US neoclassicism in the context of the American Renaissance, i.e. late 19th century. All the neoclassical buildings raised in the late 18th & early 19th c are much more germane. US Capitol, Massachusetts state house, Monticello, etc. etc. Also it makes it sound like Latrobe (d 1820) is an early examplar of Am. Ren. (1880 on). Does somebody want to get writing? Albiart (talk) 18:43, 2 February 2010 (UTC)

I love the links to vaious D.C. and Virgina neoclasscial monuments, also the links to American neoclasscial examples in other areas. Do you feel that the foudnign fatehrs chose neoclassical arcitecture because of it's historical ties to the founding of justice, law, and liberty or for another reason? perhaps because the very successful England favored it? HLR95 (talk) 13:57, May 31st 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for your comments! Personally and from my research, I believe that the founding fathers chose neoclassical architecture because of the anceitn Roman ties to justice, law and liberty and less about what England prefered. This is because even when Neclassicism affected England and Europe, Americans wanted to cut all ties from England (thus causing American Revolution), so although it may seem as though the Founding Fathers followed in the footsteps of England (architecturally), their real intent was to reflect the neoclassical symbolism that was directly conencted to the Roman Republic. Neclassicism, in general, became one of the building blocks of the republic and neoclassical architecture was one aspect that the Americans used to build up the nation. Furthermore, the neoclassical phenomenon started in Europe but the style itself was entirely from antiquity, thus the phenomenon was not specifically a European-dervied style. To better understand this, think of a popular gadget like Blackberry phones. my friend and I may get it, but other people may chose to purchase the phone. Those people won't have a blackberry because WE had them, but for their own reasons. This can be applied to Neoclassicism. Lastly, the Founding Fathers did not necessarily chose neoclassical architecture as the "national style", but those men drew political inspiration from neoclassicism, thus, spreading the beliefs to architects and other artists. Vivpat (talk) 00:54, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Characteristics
Since editors of this article seem unable to distinguish "classicizing", "neoclassical", "Baroque classicism", I've started some bare bones of a "Characteristics" section, which, since it is not yet a ventriloquist's display of quotations, will soon be tagged by someone with nothing concrete to contribute.--Wetman (talk) 11:36, 5 February 2010 (UTC)

Concerning American Neoclassic Architecture
This section of the page is very informative and well organized. Your decision to give a brief overview of the neoclassic architecture in the United States, followed by more in-depth descriptions of each building that was inspired by classic buildings was easy to follow and understand. I was wondering why you think neoclassical architecture is more commonly found in Virginia and Washington, D.C. and not further west or why you decided to include only examples from the east coast if there is more neoclassical architecture in the western United States. Again, this was a very well-organized section and you did an excellent job of choosing what information to include in your piece. Well done. --Carolyngreene (talk) 18:32, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your comments. I appreciate the feedback. During my research, when I looked for specific examples that expressed the neoclassical style, majority of the monuments were in Virginia and Washington. I discovered that that was because in Washington, the Founding Fathers wanted the neoclassical representation and symbolism to be reflected in buildings that affected the entire nation, thus federal institutions were built in the neoclassical style which explains the concentration of such buildings in Washington D.C.. Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson was greatly influenced by neoclaissicism after his trip to France; he learned from the neoclassical buildings that were present in France such as the Maison Caree in Nimes. He then became a huge supporter when he returned to America and designed numerous institutions with the ancient Roman and Greek style. He even went as far as designing his own home(Monticello) with neoclassical characteristics. Since Jefferson was born and grew up in Virginia, that was where most of the his classical-inspired works were constructed.

There are indeed examples from all over the united states, but the most important and most prominent examples are in the east coast because during the time after the American Revolution, there were only the states along the east coast(previous British colonies) and that was where the capital of America was as well. Even after westward expansion, the most powerful states were the ones in middle and northeast due to their industrial, economic and population expansion (larger workforce is producing the final product, thus the economy earns more money and money = power). Thanks for your questions! Vivpat (talk) 20:05, 31 May 2011 (UTC)

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Chronology, e.g. Palladian/Neo-Palladian, Regency, Federal/American etc.
Is there any support for reorganising this page to provide a better chronology? For example, true Palladian style (by Andrea Palladio) was over a century before the rather different neo-Palladian style of Colen Campbell etc. Regency style scarcely gets a mention. Also, the National Trends have a natural chronology.

Suggested headings, but improvements by wiser people than I are welcome!!


 * Characteristics
 * Exterior design
 * Interior design
 * Palladian (restricting discussion to 16th century, Palladio etc)
 * Neo-Classical (17th century, Inigo Jones etc)
 * Neo-Palladian (early 18th century, Campbell etc)
 * Greek Revival (late 18th century, Stuart and Revett etc)
 * National trends
 * USA/Federal (late 18th - early 19th century, Adams, Bullfinch etc)
 * France/Empire (19th century, Percier and Fontain etc)
 * UK/Regency (19th century, Nash etc)
 * Germany/Biedermeier (19th century)
 * Greece
 * Hungary
 * Malta
 * Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
 * Russia
 * Spain

DoctorDaveF (talk) 11:50, 20 March 2021 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Architectural History
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