Eclectic architecture: characteristics, features and examples

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Everything repeats itself in history: the first time in the form of a drama, the second - in the form of a farce. This is also true for two periods in Russian architecture. The beginning of the first originated in the 30s of the XIX century and ended with its end. The beginning of the second took place in the 60s of the XX century. In a sense, it still happens, slightly changing the parameters. The fact is that eclectic architecture was formed in the 19th century, and most tenement houses in Russia were built in this style, which, even after a century and a half, look worthy against the background of other ancient buildings of the same St. Petersburg or Moscow.

And in the middle of the 20th century, the Khrushchevka boom also began. The tasks before the architects were the same as 100 years ago: to provide the population with apartments. It is difficult to say that these buildings have adorned the streets of the country.

Prerequisites for the emergence of style

In the XVIII century in Russiathe Empire style prevailed: antiquity, columns, the inevitable Greek pediment. According to the classical canons, estates, palaces and temples were built throughout the empire. The process was, one might say, debugged, and everyone was happy with everything. Well, almost everyone. The writers were the first to criticize the antique style, among them such well-known names as Gogol, the critic Belinsky, the philosopher Chaadaev, and Herzen, who, as they say, “woke up the Decembrists” … Thus, a protest was brewing in society and changes were required.

"Furious Vissarion" (Belinsky) formulated a concept that was intended to become the basis of a new original style in architecture: "Nationality is the alpha and omega of the aesthetics of our time."

Economic conditions

All these "fermentations of minds" coincided with changes in the structure of society: the nobility gradually became poorer and could not afford expensive projects, living out their lives in ancient estates. A class of industrialists and merchants stood out, whose flight of fancy was not limited by means. Almost all of these "new Russians", such as the merchants Brusnitsyn, were from the peasant class and preferred to build in the canons of Russian architecture.

That is, a certain request of the society arose, to which the architecture had to give an answer.

New direction

So, society persistently sought to revive folk traditions, and by the middle of the 19th century there was a lot of talk about the people's share, the continuation of which was the well-known "going to the people" of students in 1861.

Therefore, the theme of nationality should have been reflected in aestheticsin general and in architecture in particular, especially since in the 30s of the century before last, only the lazy did not criticize the Empire style.

The well-known public figure and restorer Mikhail Dormidontovich Bykovsky, who later became the founder of the architectural society in Moscow, was one of the first to formulate the theses of a new direction in architecture: anti-academicism, national identity, Gothic accent, freedom of creative self-expression and no order canons. Later he supplemented them with explanations. So there was a style in architecture - eclecticism.

However, the architect himself was an adherent of the Gothic direction, which is confirmed by the Marfino complex designed by him near Moscow, which at that time belonged to the diplomat N. P. Panin. His wife, Countess Sofia Vladimirovna Panina, invited M. D. Bykovsky to create the estate, which became one of the brightest examples of eclecticism in architecture. By the way, the famous "Satan's Ball" was filmed here.

False Gothic

So, what is eclecticism in architecture? This is a direction that combines many styles in one building. Architects preferred other names for eclecticism: historicism, romanticism, false gothic, Russian-Byzantine style, and from the second half of the 19th century - Boaz-ar, or Beaux-Arts.

The triumphal procession of the new direction began precisely with neo-Gothic, which gravitated towards romanticism. The characteristic features of eclecticism in the architecture of the first half of the 19th century were: a vertical accent in buildings, sophisticationspiers, the presence of richly decorated turrets and sculptures, the openwork design of the facades. Buildings designed with these elements resembled fairy-tale castles, creating a romantic mood. In this they contrasted with the classic Gothic of the same England, which was distinguished by gloominess and asceticism.

However, over time, when this direction began to be used in private construction, architectural excesses gradually gave way to the severity of vertical forms, approaching English patterns.

Northern Capital

Eclecticism in the architecture of St. Petersburg is represented by many buildings.

One of them is located on the Krestovka River Embankment, at number 12. This is the former mansion of Countess Kleinmichel. Its distinctive Gothic features are characteristic turrets, wrought iron lanterns, and bars on the windows that complete the image of the castle. The building was built in 1834 and was rebuilt several times. Even at the beginning of the last century, noisy balls were held here. The dacha of Princess S altykova at 4 Academician Krylov Street is another example of the eclectic style in architecture. Everything that should be in a Gothic building is present here: towers made of wood; beautifully designed facade, accentuated entrance to the building in the form of an arch. This building also belongs to the 30s of the last century. In the 90s of the XX century, it was restored after a long period of neglect.

The time of neo-Gothic in Russia was short: about 20 years. However, thisthe direction left its noticeable mark in the transformation of many cities of the empire, marking the beginning of changes in the public mood of the country.

It should be noted that eclecticism in Russian architecture is divided into two periods: from 1830 to 1860 there was a "Nikolaev" stage, and from 1870 until the end of the century - "Alexander". And the matter is not only in the change of the sovereign, but also in the appearance on the social plane of a new class of owners, which determines the dominant style in urban planning.

Style elements and their combination

There are two features of the eclectic style in Russian architecture.

1. The use of components of all available "historical" trends from Neo-Renaissance to pseudo-Russian, as well as exotic styles introduced to Russian "soil" in the form of Indo-Saracenic, etc.
2. Changing the function of the order, which was of decisive importance in the Empire style, and became a decorative formality in eclecticism.

The important features of eclecticism in architecture were functionality and versatility. That is, the "Russian-Byzantine style" formed by the rector of the Imperial Academy of Arts Konstantin Andreevich Ton could be used in the construction of temples, but not private buildings, in the design of which other directions were used in combination. Public or industrial buildings were created taking into account their functions, as well as available funds.

Thus, the use of decorative elementsor its minimization, the presence of finishing or in case of its absence, in order to save money, the construction of red brick buildings - all this could vary depending on the budget.

The Empire style could not boast of such versatility due to rigidly fixed canons.

Decor elements

Neo-Baroque style buildings were distinguished by many decorative elements - the direction of eclecticism, to which one of the most talented architects of the 19th century Andrey Ivanovich Shtakenshneider gravitated.

Among the creations of the heir to the elegant taste of Count Rastrelli (as his contemporaries called him), the Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace, located at the intersection of Nevsky Prospect and the embankment of the Fontanka River, takes pride of place.

Esper Beloselsky-Belozersky was not only a nobleman, but also well versed in art, and therefore desired the revival of the baroque-rocaille style, popular in the time of Elizabeth. And the project of the palace was conceived precisely for this purpose. The building is known not only for the fact that the construction of private palaces on Nevsky Prospekt was completed on it, but also for the fact that members of the imperial family were its owners. The last owner of the building was the banker I. I. Stakheev.

Among the projects implemented in 1844 by Stackenschneider was the Mariinsky Palace on St. Isaac's Square - a wonderful example of eclecticism in the architecture of St. Petersburg.

Pseudo-Russian style

Folk direction, and pseudo-Russian style was widely used in the design of buildingsfor different purposes. In the 19th century, the formation of national self-awareness took place, on the wave of which this direction in architecture arose.

It organically combined many elements of ancient Russian construction, as well as components of jewelry stylized as embroidery and carving. Gradually, the style of wooden buildings was transferred to stone ones.

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood built after the assassination attempt on Alexander II became a vivid example of this direction. Its author, the architect Parland, combined many elements of Russian architecture in his project and won the competition, which was attended by such masters as Benoit and Schroeter.

Trends of the East

It is impossible not to note the shades of the East included in eclecticism, in particular, the Moorish influence on architecture. These elements perfectly contrasted with the cold climate of our country, bringing warmth and rich colors to it. The Eastern tradition combined many styles of the conquered countries. In addition, it organically fits into classical forms as exotic accents: doors and windows, made in a characteristic manner using colored glass; stucco molding with mysterious plots, galleries and arches emphasizing the originality of the entire complex, colored marble ornaments.

This trend was polar in relation to the already familiar neo-Gothic and classicism. Vorontsov Palace in Alupka, built by the architect Blor fromBritain is the epitome of Moorish influence.

In the Russian Empire, many beautiful works of eclectic architecture were built, which we still admire today, paying tribute to the skill and talent of their creators. In addition, thanks to this particular direction, the formation of Russian modernism became possible. But that's another story.