Renaissance
When and where was the Renaissance born?
It was born in Florence (Italy) between 14th and 16th century.
When did the Baroque spread?
From the end of 16th century to the 18th century.
Where is it located? Who was the architech who designed it after the Great Fire of London in 1666?
It is located in London. The Architect who designed the new cathedral was Christopher Wren.
Where does the name "Georgian" come from?
It comes from the 3 Georges who ruled Britain between 1714 and 1820.
When did the Gothic style return to British Architecture? One characteristic of the new Gothic style.
Between the middle of 18th and the 19th century.
The buildings built in the new Gothic style were much more decorated than the older originals.
What concept was the idea of beauty centred around?
The idea of beauty was centred around the concept of harmony and mathematical proportion.
What interest did the Baroque develop in contrast with Renaissance architecture?
The Baroque focused mainly on movement and dynamism.
What is the material it is made of? What were the styles combined in the cathedral's design?
The cathedral is made of Portland cement. The styles Wren combined in the cathedral's desing were Neoclassicism, Gothic, and Baroque.
What type of building most characterizes Georgian Architecture? Tell the main characteristics of the terraces. When were terraces built?
The "Townhouse". The terraces were elegant, narrow, tall, built in rows. They were built during the 18th and 19 th century.
Who was the most important architect of the Gothic Revival and what did he design?
What was another famous building, built at the end of 19th century?
The most important architect of the Gothic Revival was Augustus Pugin. He designed the House of Parliament situated in the centre of London, beside the river Thames.
Another famous building, built at the end of 19th century, was Tower Bridge.
Filippo Brunelleschi was the first to use ...
... the laws of perspective.
How the concepts of movement and dinamism were communicated?
Through the same laws of proportion of Renaissance but the introduction of decorations and additions trasform the building into a theatrical set, designed to evoke awe, emotion, and wonder.
There are 3 galleries in the Dome. Do you remember their names? Could you please describe them?
The Golden Gallery, The Stone Gallery and the Whispering Gallery. At the base of the lantern is the Golden Gallery, which offers panoramas of London. Farther down, is the Stone Gallery, another popular viewing spot. The frescoes and grisaille of the inner dome can be admired from the Whispering Gallery (so called because a whisper from one side of the gallery can be heard from the other side).
What was in that period the necessity in urban planning? And why?
To pack a lot of houses into a small space. The necessity was due to the increase in urban population.
When and where did the Neoclassicism become popular?
It became popular in North America and Europe in the second half of the 18th century and remain the main trend in Europe until the end of the 19th century.
Who was a central figure of Venetian Late Renaissance and what kind of architecure did he design?
He was Palladio. He focused on domestic architecture.
Describe the main characteristics of the Baroque?
curved lines, round or oval shapes, contrast in colour, rich surface treatments, illusory and vividly painted ceilings.
What is the western façade framed by? What is in the south-west tower?
The western façade is framed by twin bell towers. In the south-west tower there is the Geometrical Staircase, which leads to the cathedral library and archives.
Describe the interior of a Georgian terrace? Who usually inhabit these houses?
These houses had 4/5 floors, a staircase to each floor; in the basement there was a kitchen and a cellar where wood and coal were stored. The most important part of the house was the first floor where the main rooms were situated. The top floor was often used as the children's bedrooms and playgrounds.These houses were usually inhabitated by craftsmen and artists or by people who stayed in a city only for a short period of time.
Who was the architect who started Neoclassical style in Britain? What influenced him and what did he create?
He was a Scottish architect, Robert Adam.
He travelled to Italy where he admired Roman ruins and Renaissance buildings. He created a mixture of styles based on different geometric patterns.
Describe the characteristics of Palladio villas.
They were similar to the ancient Roman villas, built away from the city and surrounded by a natural setting with entrances similar to classical temples.
The main feature were simmetry, proportion, distribution of rectangular shapes and square blocks.
What was the purpose of the magnificence and richness of churches and palaces?
The magnificence of churches was a way to show the authority of divine power, as a reaction to the Protestant Reformation; the richness of palaces a way to show the priviledged social position of the owner.
What are in the apse to the east of the chancel and in the crypt?
In the apse to the east of the chancel is the American Memorial Chapel, which was dedicated in 1958 to US soldiers killed in World War II.
In the crypt many notable soldiers, artists, and intellectuals have been buried, like The Duke of Wellington, Lord Nelson, Florence Nightingale and Christopher Wren.
Describe the structure of a Georgian terrace and its exterior features.
It featured: a square, symmetrical shape, pillars, sash windows, two chimneys. They were laid in straight lines and there were nearby garden areas for social purposes.
What are the main characteristics of Neoclassicism?
Which are the most famous neoclassical buildings in London?
Geometrical forms, straight lines and Greek columns.
The most famous neoclassical buildings in London are: the British Museum, Mansion House and the Covent Garden Theatre.