Neo-Gothic & Neo-Classical - Romantic Era

Introduction

Today, we will be taking a look into the Romantic Era, where we will see some more impressive works of architecture. The two styles that we will be focusing on are the Neo-Gothic style and the Neo-Classical style. 

Neo-Gothic Style

The first piece of architecture that we will be focusing on from the Neo-Gothic style is the Houses of Parliament which is also known as the Palace of Westminister, in London, England. According to the UK Parliament, “One of the most recognised buildings in the world, the Palace of Westminster owes its stunning Gothic architecture to the 19th-century architect Sir Charles Barry. Now Grade I listed, and part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace contains a fascinating mixture of both ancient and modern buildings, and houses an iconic collection of furnishings, archives and works of art” (Architecture of the Palace - UK Parliament). The Palace had to be rebuilt after a fire and the construction of the new Palace, designed by Charles Barry, began in 1840, and the construction of the new Palace was not complete until more than 30 years later. (Architecture of the Palace - UK Parliament).

Photo from parliament.uk

The second piece of architecture that we will be taking a look at from the Neo-Gothic style, is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in New York. According to St. Patrick’s website, “The cornerstone of St. Patrick’s Cathedral was laid in 1858 and her doors swept open in 1879. It was over 160 years ago when Archbishop John Hughes announced his inspired ambition to build the “new” St. Patrick’s Cathedral” (History & Heritage | St. Patrick’s Cathedral). St. Patrick's Cathedral was designed by the very talented architect, James Renwick Jr. (The Building of Saint Patrick’s Cathedrals)

Photo from stpatrickscathedral.org

Art Elements

The Houses of Parliament and St. Patrick’s Cathedral have a lot of differences but also a lot of similarities. It is very clear that both works have used the Neo-Gothic style from the Romantic Era. For these works, we will be taking a look at their uses of lines, space, and texture. Firstly, the use of lines is a big part of architecture, and the Houses of Parliament take the use of lines to another level. The main lines to note are the vertical lines all through the exterior. With both the Houses of Parliament and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the use of lines is used very strongly in their towers. For their use of space, both pieces of architecture are very large with incredible detail, especially in their towers which makes them impossible to miss. The texture to notice in both of these works are the points, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral, we see them mainly in the towers, but in the Houses of Parliament, we see them at the top, across pretty much the entire building adding to their great detail.

My Neo-Gothic Opinions

I love Neo-Gothic architecture and it is something that you could sit and admire. The details are incredible. Every bit of space, all the way to the top of St. Patrick’s Towers, was utilized. These are two more buildings that I will have to take the time to see in person, thankfully St. Patrick’s Cathedral is not too far away!

Neo-Gothic Intentions

“An architectural style that drew its inspiration from medieval architecture and competed with the Neoclassical revivals in the United States and Great Britain” (Mozaik). Neo-Gothic architecture without a doubt makes you think “medieval”. All the points and tall towers, when I hear Neo-Gothic, these buildings are exactly what I pictured in my head without knowing for sure what they looked like.  

Neo-Classical Style

The first piece of architecture that we will be going over from the Neo-Classical style is the United States Capitol, in Washington, D.C. The United States Capitol was designed by Dr. William Thornton. (Architect of the Capitol) “Construction of the Capitol began in 1793. In November 1800, Congress, along with the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court, moved into the newly completed north wing. The south wing was completed by 1807, but in 1814, the British burned the Capitol during the War of 1812. What is now the center portion of the Capitol was completed in 1826” (The Capitol). 

Photo from washington.org

The second piece of architecture that we will take a look at from the Neo-Classical style is the British Museum, in London, England. “The core of today's building was designed by the architect Sir Robert Smirke (1780-1867) in 1823. It was a quadrangle with four wings: the north, east, south and west wings. The building was completed in 1852” (British Museum).

Photo from britishmuseum.org

Art Elements

The United States Capitol and the British Museum both use the art elements of line, space and focal point. The use of lines is best noticed in both buildings' use of pillars, the Capitol uses pillars throughout the exterior and even on the dome, with the British Museum, the use of lines in their pillars is seen throughout the front of the building. For space, both buildings are very large and have their own sets of unique details seen on the top of their exterior fronts. The focal point of the Capitol is the dome in the very center, it is difficult to avoid letting your eyes go straight to the dome, and with the British Museum, the focal point is above its main entrance right in the center.

Neo-Classical Intentions

“Neo-classical aimed to strip away the excesses of Baroque monuments and returns to a purer and more authentic classical style” (Moziak). I can see how in Neo-Classical architecture, where they were trying to make it simpler. Compared to Neo-Classical architecture, you could say many other styles are crazy detailed with a lot going on. While still being detailed and impressive, the Neo-Classical style offers a more “relaxed” design.

Neo-Classical Opinions

Neo-Classical architecture is impressive, and it took a lot to design and build these buildings, but I am not the biggest fan. I love the use of pillars/ columns in this architecture, and they make these buildings look big and strong. I just don't enjoy it as much as the Neo-Gothic architecture. I guess I can say that I am glad that we have a strong-looking Capitol though!

Works Cited

Architecture of the Palace - UK Parliament, www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/architecture/. Accessed 16 July 2024.

The Building of Saint Patrick’s Cathedrals, New York - Florida Construction Connection, www.floridaconstructionconnection.com/the-building-of-saint-patricks-cathedrals-new-york/. Accessed 16 July 2024.

“The Capitol.” The Capitol | U.S. Capitol - Visitor Center, www.visitthecapitol.gov/explore/the-capitol#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20Capitol%20in,nation’s%20legislature%2C%20the%20U.S.%20Congress. Accessed 15 July 2024.

“History of the Architect of the Capitol.” Architect of the Capitol, www.aoc.gov/about-us/history. Accessed 15 July 2024.

“British Museum.” Architectuul, architectuul.com/architecture/british-museum. Accessed 15 July 2024.

online, Mozaik. “Neo-Gothic vs Neo-Classic Architecture.” Medium, Medium, 19 June 2022, mazoghby.medium.com/neo-gothic-vs-neo-classic-architecture-3ba4e41d88cd.

History & Heritage | St. Patrick’s Cathedral | New York, NY, saintpatrickscathedral.org/history-heritage. Accessed 16 July 2024.