Review of the American Periods

I first looked at Justine's blog, and she focused on the American Victorian Period.  She explained some historical information and architectural and design details that makes the Victorian period so distinct. She even went into detail of the interior design and space planning, as well as touching on furniture design. Very informative!

Next, I reviewed Lindsay's blog, and she touched on each design style under the umbrella of the American period.  She provided a Colonial example and a corresponding modern day example.  It was helpful in being able to distinguish between each style with the small attributes that divided them apart with her pictures and explanations.


ALSO!

Here is a tour of an 1817 American Federal home.  The interior decoration is amazing! Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pi-2Tlhmac

AMERICAN FEDERAL (1790-1820)

Modern example of American Federal architecture

The Federal period was the American's version of Neoclassicism.  Furniture designers such as Hepplewhite and Sheraton from England made a huge impact on the way furniture was constructed in America.  Armchairs went through some change and daybeds grew in popularity.  Federal architecture was different from the preceding Georgian colonial architecture with it having simpler exterior surfaces that was flatter and smoother.  Influences came from ancient Roman architecture with the use of isolated panels, tablets, and friezes.  The bald eagle was a commonly used architectural motif.

THEN:

Duncan Phyfe was a furniture designer from Scotland and is widely known for his exemplary craftsmanship and ornamentation.  Although he never created a new furniture style, he implemented European trends into his work that distinguished him and his furniture pieces to be renowned as an influential example to this time period.

President Obama and a Phyfe Settee

NOW:

Reviews of English Periods

I first reviewed Kristina P.'s post on her ideas of the English Renaissance period.  She highlighted each different furniture designer and did some research on who designed which type of furniture and had a few informational videos on specific details.  She also included fabrics that could have been used as upholstery and found a few different modern applications that included different types of upholstered furniture with these fabric designs.

Next, I looked over Katie's post that focused on the late English Neoclassic renaissance era.  She picked one of her favorite designers, Robert Adams, and went into more detail about his background and his strengths in furniture and interior design.  I was able to learn a bit more about his approaches and she had many images to correlate with her research.  Very informative!

ENGLISH PERIODS

Early Renaissance 1550-1660

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, United Kingdom

Middle Renaissance 1660-1750

St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England

Late Renaissance 1750-1850

Newby Hall, Yorkshire, England

English Middle Renaissance 1660-1750

Modern Queen Anne Chairs

Although there are countless amounts of architectural advances made during the English periods, a lot of the advances were largely towards furniture and interior design.  The 18th Century English Middle Renaissance was the golden age for English cabinet making, and each designer took a different approach to marketing their works to the population.   This was a prosperous time with the developmental shift towards a more social time that gave people the chance to enjoy the company of others.

William and Mary Chairs

THEN:

Mary Stuart and William III shifted the idea of furniture from decoration to comfort.  Upholstery was first introduced on the seats of each chair that had fabrics like velvet and leather.  Highly ornamented seat backs had an oriental influence.  "X" shaped stretchers attached each straight-formed leg.  This also was know as the age of walnut where oak was utilized less and less.

Windsor Chairs

The Windsor chair uses wood solely with a large seat that usually had a shallow-shaped, carved dish to provide comfort.  Rather than the William and Mary chairs being straight legged and very intricate, the Windsor chair had legs that were winged out on an angle with each one pushed into drill holes for a very simplistic style.  The backs of the seat had steam-bent pieces of wood rounded around to the sides of the chair to provide more comfort.

NOW:

Modern English design is traditionally used in residential and some eclectic restaurant applications.  These application photos were chosen for the chair design that is being highlighted in each dining room shot.

Review of French Periods

I first took a look at Samantha's blog, and she mainly focused on different interior design elements that stemmed from the French Rococo period.  Having it also be one of my favorite periods that we have studied as well, I appreciated her more extensive research approach to the time period.  Her modern day examples of the Rococo period were also great examples of such representation.

Next, I viewed Lindsay's blog in the French Baroque styles.  Knowing that she has visited the Palace of Versailles, I was eager to see what information she had to offer first hand.  She explained the structure of the palace itself, but also went into some interesting detail about the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens surrounding.   Her modern day examples of the Baroque period were very tasteful and depicted the modern simplicity of the very intricate and dramatic look of this time period.

FRENCH PERIODS

EARLY RENAISSANCE (1484-1547)

Chateau de Chambord

LATE RENAISSANCE (1589-1643)

Chateau de Blois

BAROQUE STYLE (1643-1700)

Vaux-le-Vicomte

REGENCY STYLE (1700-1730)

Italian Comedians - Jean Antoine Watteau

ROCOCO STYLE (1730-1760)

Bureau de Roi

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE (1760-1789)

Bibliotheque National de France

BAROQUE STYLE (1643-1700)

Palais de Versailles

Baroque style and elaboration are synonymous.  First understanding the Renaissance is important in understanding the Baroque style because it is generated and reacted upon that style.  In France, the major building were not churches like in previous periods, but actually were residences, and the shift towards comfort is more important than it was early on.  French artists and architects worked not towards an expression of religious sentiment, but  to express national power.  King Louis XIV was a leader who lived and ruled with the French national art and style as a pat of a political program. 

Architecture and Interiors

Vaux-le-Vicomte

THEN:

Vaux-le-Vicomte was a chateaux designed by architect Louis Le Vau for Nicholas Fouquet.  It was used as a forerunner for the Palace of Versailles to test the materials and design ideas.  The floor plan is completely symmetrical and its views from the exterior show a three-tiered system with a large center entrance.

NOW:

Symmetrical floor plans are still widely used in residential design to give both the on-lookers and owners a balanced and organized design mirrored with similar architectural elements and materials.

Gardens

Gardens of Palais de Versailles

THEN: 

Baroque gardens used nature as a natural architectural canvas and material.  Parts of pools, canals, and waterworks were even used to provide a viewing foreground of beauty.  The designers for the gardens at the Palace of Versailles produced the most artistically innovative and largest project ever created up to this time period.  Louis Le Vau used the existing chateau to create gardens that gave visitors an exquisite view.

NOW:

Lavish and intricate gardens are constructed in upscale residential applications as well as large community parks, zoos, and race tracks all over the world to instill natural beauty for those visiting.

More Information

Here is a link to a quick 5 minute video giving an overview of the different architectural feats that took place during this time period.  Very informative! 

French Baroque Style Architecture Overview

Reviews of the Spanish Renaissance

I first looked at Megan's blog, and I learned a lot about some of the historical events leading up to the Spanish Renaissance.  She even mentioned the gold and silver that was taken from the Americas when the Spanish had conquered them.  That gold and silver is now inlaid and placed throughout the cathedrals and palaces during this time period.  Her predominate focus on architecture was great because it is such an important topic to cover during this time period.

Justine's modern day applications of Spanish influences had so many design elements of each space that resembled this time period such as the wrought iron gate and the busy patterns.  She also went into some detail about the three main architectural styles that came into their own during the Spanish Renaissance, and each of the modern day application examples were able to depict them successfully and beautifully.

SPANISH RENAISSANCE

Seville City Hall - Plateresco Style - Seville, Spain

The Spanish Renaissance emerged from influences of the Italian Renaissance with its main features focusing on art, literature, and science.  1492 is the year that is commonly accepted as the beginning of such influences.  Architecture had a shift that stemmed from a focus on human nature and a revived interest in classical orders.

Architecture

There are many different remarkable and distinguished architectural feats that stemmed from this time period ranging from Medieval castles to religious cathedrals. 

Palaces and Castles

THEN:

Alahambra - Granada, Spain

El Escorial - San Lorenzo de Escorial, Spain

Castillo de La Mota - Valladolid, Spain

NOW:

Review of the Italian Renaissance

I first looked at Natalie's blog, and she included a lot of information about the history of where and how the Italian Renaissance began.  There is no direct time period to distinguish the art and architecture, but she pointed out different architectural and furniture design pieces that were constructed and gave me a clearer understanding on what is considered Italian Renaissance design.

Next I browsed through Paige's blog, and she focused on entirely furniture design which is a major topic from the Italian Renaissance considering it was the first time in history that residential design became eminent for upper and middle classes alike.  Her findings on the modern examples of each piece were great because they all highlighted the main detail points of each chair and table.



Also!  I found this great video on this guy climbing up the 463 steps to the tip of the Duomo in Florence!  He gives you a close look at the architecture and detail that went into the construction and design with the interior of the church and the frescos of the dome.  I will vouch for the guy, the views at the very tip are breathtaking.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohB1sNzpBe0

ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

City of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

The word Renaissance literally means "rebirth," and Florence was the city where it essentially began.  The classical forms from past time periods are now being refined and adapted to new uses that favored comfort, convenience, and beauty.  The development also showed signs of a secular shift rather than one that surrounded religion.

There was also a humanistic movement towards emotion and love that was translated into the arts.  The writings of Dante's and other authors shifted toward grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and moral philosophy which we study today in various humanities classes.  The art and architecture had similar characteristics to the Florentine's with characterizations such as femininity, structured, dainty, and symmetry.  Artists who accomplished architectural ventures were viewed as ones to have completed the highest achievement possible.

Furniture

Residential Design was becoming more prominent during the Italian Renaissance.  Client relationships with architects, painters, furniture designers, and sculptors held a long lasting relationship who would be working with a family's interiors for years.  

Sedia Chair

THEN:

The Sedia Chair was stream lined and rectangular.  Decorative stretchers and runners connected each leg with one another.  The back and the seat of the chair was upholstered in either velvet, tapestry, or ornamental leather.  Nail heads and fringe were different decorative additives represented in Italian Renaissance furniture design.

Outdoor Rocking Chair

NOW:

Some styles of residential outdoor furniture resemble different attributes of the Sedia Chair, i.e. the rectangular form and the stretcher and runner connecting the legs to one another.

Architecture

Cathedrals and Palazzi sum up the large category of architecture and construction of the Italian Renaissance. The typical palazzo facade included much repetition, alternation, and progression.  They had central courtyards that gave the residents access to private and cleaner outdoor space enclosed from the busy city.  

Palazzo Farnese - Rome, Italy

THEN:

The Palazzo Farnese has a simple and symmetrical facade.  It had a central courtyard complete with arches, columns, pilasters, and corbels.  It was completed my Michelangelo originally for Cardinal Farnese.

Courthouse in Baca Courthouse, Colorado

NOW:

Particular courthouses with a symmetrical, un-ornamented facade are a modern take on the Palazzo Farnese.  The architecture of the overhang detailing and decorated detail over each window directly relate to those of the palazzo.

THE AMERICAS

The Americas is a period made up of four different empires each with their own distinct variation of the same type of architecture.  The general time period is between 2000 BC - 1521 AD and that includes the Olmecs, the Teotihuacans, the Aztecs, and the Mayans.

Map of Mesoamerica

The Aztecs 1000 - 1500 CE

The Aztecs were an ethnic group located in central Mexico that dominated much of their time period.  The capital city was Tenochtitlan which is modern day Mexico City.  There were approximately 200,000 inhabitants and at the height of their time, they were and organized and strong group that ruled with fear.

Architecture

Unlike early European time periods, the Aztecs had a very different style or architecture that didn't involve any central religious structures of the city.  They did construct their very own religious centers that had similar attributes to the Ancient Egyptian pyramids, but smaller in size and with a different facade made of stone and brick.  One of the main temples was Templo Mayor, and it had two different temples - the God of War and the God of Agriculture.  It was located in their ceremonial center that was two miles in length with residential dwellings surrounding it. 

Model of Templo Mayor

THEN:

Templo Mayor was one of the Aztecs main temple platforms within their ceremonial center.  Mexican pyramids by nature were made by building over older ones, and thus making it look bulky and short.  The 197 foot high stricture was complete with a long flight of stairs that gave access to the temples at the top.

NOW:

Different commercial settings utilize the long and grand staircases both as a design aesthetic and for architectural reasonings.  Places like opera houses, theaters, and even large court houses and department stores use grand staircases that indirectly resemble those for the Mesoamerican Mexican pyramids.

Art

Aztec art was influenced by a long history of culture and religion.  Only the upper class were allowed to own any sort of art.  Insects, birds, fish and animals, and other living themes were organisms that inspired the people of the Aztec Empire.  A lot of the art that was recovered and discovered was religion related, and the Gods were typically depicted as different animals.  A lot of their art told a story that pertained to a recent sacrifice, conquest, or their daily lives.

Fresco of a Snake

NOW:

Today, we know the Aztec style design to be geometric and extremely vibrant and colorful.  It is emulated on all different kinds of phone cases, folders, web design, and even wallpaper and upholstery for design use.

GOTHIC

Notre Dame 1163-1345 - Paris, France

Gothic - 1140-1500

Gothic is considered the latest style before the Renaissance.  It serves as a bridge between Romanesque and the Renaissance, but the beauty of its architecture and design can be categorized as its own.  Religion was a big part of their lives, so the cathedrals show the best examples of Gothic design and architecture because it is where everything centered around physically and spiritually.  

Wells Cathedral - Somerset, United Kingdom

 Regensburg Cathedral - Regensburg, Germany

Barcelona Cathedral - Barcelona, Spain    

Sienna Cathedral - Siena, Toscana, Italy

Paris was the center of the Gothic period, but there are other places in Europe where the Gothic style was appreciated.  England had its own variation that made the buildings shorter and longer in length.  Germany had cathedrals that were very similar to those of the French:  thinner in width and tall towers.  Spain had represented their Gothic architecture with a wider and much more complex plan than in France.  Italy introduced color in their interior designs to enhance the many details exhibited during this time period, but also represented a thinner and taller concept to its architecture.

Design

THEN:

Particular elements of Gothic ornamentation and design are widely used today. The rose motif was typically constructed on the west wall of a cathedral and contains The Last Judgement.  It was crafted with stained glass windows that gave a colorful and heavenly light in the interiors.  

 NOW:

The Rose window, also called the wheel window, has transcended into different kinds of design outlets today.  Necklaces and bracelets, either with weave or gem design have this intricate design, as well as plates, mugs, and other fine chinaware.