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In this essay information will be given in order to compare and contrast data about three different styles of architecture. The three styles are Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Neo Gothic. In order to fully give a clear explanation of these styles, information about architecture will be given first then the three styles will follow with comparing and contrasting points in between. First, to inform about architecture, one must explain what it is. Research essay sample on Art Deco Gothic Architecture
Architecture, referring to building is defined as The practice of building design and its resulting products; customary usage refers only to those designs and structures that are culturally significant (Ferrier 20). Someone might say that architecture must appease its intended uses, but must be technically sound, and must convey tasteful meaning. Although some of the greatest buildings outlast their original uses, these buildings now stand not only as beautiful works of art, but as history of our culture. Achievements in architecture show, the true accomplishments of the society in which they were constructed.
It is amazing how architecture has blossomed. As technology has grown and people have gained knowledge in the wide array of architecture many different forms have developed. Although we will be looking into only a few, it will be easy to see why people find architecture so interesting. For instance the Art Nouveau style, which became very popular across Europe and in the United States, is an elegant decorative art style, and is characterized by its intricately detailed patters of curving lines. An excellent example of this type of art is the John Hudson Thomas W. L.
Locke House 1911, in Oakland, CA (Partridge). Art Nouveau is an international style of decoration and architecture. This style spread rapidly. It grew as a reaction to the other excessive academic art revivals that were taking place at the time. At the time artists set out to create a new kind of art. They wanted to have something that would be a total and complete decorative style that combined all arts (including, painting, graphics, sculpture, decorative arts, and architecture) into an expressive package.
The importance of Art Nouveau can not be denied Earl A Powell III, director of the national Gallery of art in Washington DC explains, The Art Nouveau style was self-consciously international. He goes on to say, As interpreted by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, the movement in America set the stage for modernism that in turn had a great influence on progressive art and architecture in the United States, Europe, and Japan (Partridge). Art Nouveau remained popular until World War I, and was ultimately replaced by the Art Deco style. What is Art Deco? Art Deco is a style of art that was created in hopes of finding something new, something to set things apart from one to another. The Art Deco period began in the early 1900 s and ended in the 1930 s.
The Art Deco name derived from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decorative et Industries Modernes, an exposition of modern decorative and industrial arts held in Paris, France (Hewitt). Art Deco designers used stepped forms, rounded corners, triple-striped decorative elements and black decoration often. The most important thing about Art Deco is the designs created were always in geometrical order and in simple formats. A good example of an Art Deco Style would be the Empire State Building. The building was completed in 1931 - 32 and ended the era of Art Deco Skyscrapers. Art Deco is all about machines, mass-production, metal and concrete (Hewitt).
Like Art Nouveau, Art Deco exploded with peoples interests. In fact the earliest forms of Art Deco exhibited a slight reminder of the previous Art Nouveau movements graceful nature motifs, while in later years geometry and mass take over to concrete what is sometimes referred to as Art Moderne or Streamline (Jacobs 5). Art Nouveau being characterized especially by sinuous lines and foliate forms, sets it apart from the way Art Deco is characterized by bold outlines, geometric and zigzag forms, and the use of new materials. Like Art Nouveau, Art Deco was created for a newer, fresher feeling. A great way to Characterize the Art Deco style is by saying it is a diverse mix, sharing geometry and simplicity, and often combining lively colors. Unlike Art Nouveau, Art Deco packed up, do to a crash in the stock market in the 1930 s (Hewitt).
As Art Nouveau was put out be a new more modern style of art. Just like Art Deco, Art Nouveau infused the world with an elegant style of complexity. Next, a look at the Neo-Gothic style. This style is one that borrowed elements from Gothicism for decorative use.
It is generally agreed that Gothic architecture made its initial appearance (C. 1140) in the Ile-de-france, the royal domain of the Captain Kings (Religious architecture). The Neo-Gothic style tried to understand the basic principles of Gothicism, and used them. An important moment in the development of Neo-Gothicism is the year 1853, when the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church was fully restored in the Netherlands (Religious architecture). This year formed the first highlight of a process that had been going on for a few years already, and which was to lead to full catholic emancipation.
Individual components in Gothic architecture, such as ribbed vaulting and the pointed arch, had been employed in Romanesque construction, they had not previously received such a purposeful and constant application. The structural value of the gothic rib has been contested, its formal significance can not be overestimated. It served above all to delineate the vaults with a skeletal web that gave to the entire structure an articulation of impressive clarity (Religious Architecture). When you are looking at Neo-Gothic architecture it is important to see how the spiritual and mysterious of light is an important element of the religious symbolism of Gothic cathedrals. Neo-Gothic architecture in most cases has a simple rectangular ground plan, with only a small tower at the front facade (Religious Architecture). Some say this style was characterized by a purely decorative use of Gothic elements.
Between the three styles in which we have discussed (Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco) each is very different in their own ways, but are similar in others. Neo-Gothic has sharp points unlike Art Nouveau, which has many curving lines. These two styles are analogous due to their mysterious darkness and varying lines. Each style is alike in the ways in which they use geometry in each design. Art Deco is said to have streamlines that continue to flow (Hewitt) Whereas, Neo-Gothic lines seem to come to points and stop. The lines that make up Art Deco and Art Nouveau are very similar in many ways.
Their lines seem to have a smooth, constant, flow that looks as if it is never-ending. Art Deco and Art Nouveau are subtle. All three architecture styles have made the bold transition to modernism in America. In conclusion, these three styles are very important to the history of architecture. Each style used another to find its own individuality.
So without one you would not have another. Each style adds contrast and flare to one another. Looking back we can see just how important each style is. For instance Art Nouveau added writhing plant forms and an opposition to the historicism, which had plagued the 19 th century (Partridge). Although there was tension implicit throughout the movement between the decorative and the modern. Art Deco added order.
Stepped forms, rounded corners, triple stripped decorative elements and black decoration shows just how Art Deco added to history with order (Jacobs). Neo-Gothic architecture added beautiful design to many churches and other buildings. Architecture is something that is often over looked. Its beauty is exquisite. The work that goes into each and every piece of artwork is intense. It shows how much people love what they do and how creative they really are.
Architecture is something that people have to have an interest in to really love. Works Cited Architecture. com. Royal Institute of British Architects. 5 Oct. 2002 < web > Ferrier, John-Louis.
Art of Our Country: The Chronicle of Western Art 1900 to the Present. Trans Walter D. Glaze. New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1998. Hewitt, Mark A.
Art Deco 12 Nov. 2002 < web > Hunter, Sam, John Jacobs. Chronology. Modern Art: Painting/ Sculpture/ Architecture. 2 nd Ed. New York: Harry N.
Abrams, Inc. , 1985. Partridge, Howard. Art Nouveau Architecture 20 Oct. 2002
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