Architecture for Travellers is a series arming you with the basics of various architectural styles you’re likely to encounter on your urban adventures. In this post, we’ll take a look at Neoclassical Architecture, which channels Greco-Roman styles of the ancient past. Neoclassism is prevalent in many western cities from Washington D.C. to London–there’s no doubt you’ll stumble on some in your travels at home or abroad. So let’s see what it’s all about!
Before you dive into Neoclassical Architecture, I recommend you go back and start with Classical Architecture, for context. Otherwise you might find yourself missing some pieces of the puzzle. We’ll wait for you here.
Classical or not?
Around 2517-years have passed since the Greek’s developed the beginnings of Classical architecture. Since then, it has come and gone from fashion more than a few times. So for simplicity, let’s draw a line in the sand and say that true Classical architecture was built from 5th-century BCE in Greece to 3rd-century CE Rome. All the revisits and reworks after that get another name depending on their location, timing and how strictly they fall within classical rules.
Neoclassicism
As an example, Neoclassical or Neoclassicism is the movement during the 18th-century that saw Classical styling come back into vogue. The revival was spurred by the archaeological discoveries of Pompeii and Herculaneum, that captured the world’s imagination. Neoclassicism can be broken down further based on its location and an even more specific time period, with names like:
Federal architecture (c.1780 – 1830, United States)
Roman classical revival (c.1790-1830, United States)
Jeffersonian architecture (c.1790s – 1860s, United States)
Greek revival (c.1790s – 1860s, northern Europe and United States)
Regency architecture (c. 1811-1820, Britain)
Russian neoclassical revival (c.1905-1914, Russia)
Neoclassical architecture in the United States
You may have noticed from the above that the United States, an infant country in the late 18th-century, really took to Neoclassical architecture. Many of the country’s government buildings were designed in this style.
While the previous Federal style was inspired by ancient buildings of Rome and Greece, this was limited to the details and decoration, rather than the overall structure. In contrast, during the Roman classical revival and Greek revival periods, Americans attempted to outright recreate the look of ancient temples.
Thomas Jefferson, a self-taught architect, was particularly impressed by Roman styles and liked the image it portrayed. Jefferson designed his home named Monticello; the University of Virginia campus; and the Capitol of Virginia all in Roman classical revival style. This gave rise to the localised name for architecture of this style and period: Jeffersonian architecture.
The Roman fling turned into a Greek romance, as the Greek War of Independence (1821-1830) drew American’s attention. Roman architecture soured as it was associated with England, from which America was attempting to distance itself and establish its own national identity. There are many examples of Greek revival style in Pennsylvania, particularly Philadelphia the temporary U.S. capital while Washington D.C. was under construction.
Neoclassical architecture around the globe
Here are some additional examples of neoclassical architecture from around the world:
- Art Gallery of New South Wales (1909, Australia)
- British Museum (1852, Britian)
- Hungarian National Museum (1847, Hungary)
- Museo del Prado (1819, Spain)
- La Madeleine (1842, France)
- The Glyptothek (Germany, 1830)
- Kazan Cathedral (Russia, 1811)
- Kremlin Senate (Moscow, Russia, 1788)
- Pavlovsk Palace (Pavlovsk, Russia, 1786)
- United States Capitol (U.S.A, 1800)
- First Bank of the United States (U.S.A 1795)
- Federal Hall, New York City (U.S.A, 1842)
I hope this little primer on Neoclassical architecture helps you enjoy and appreciate more of your urban escapades. Check out this page for more in our Architecture for Travellers series.
Peace, love and inspiring travel,
Madam ZoZo