gothic revival

The 19^th Century saw one of most prominent styles of its time. Gothic Revival, with designs inspired from the Middle Ages, were a combination of serious studies and a more fanciful, romantic medieval chivalry and romance came together to create this unique era.

The Gothic Revival style, 1830-1900, blossomed and its design was interpreted in many religious, civic and domestic buildings built at the time.

Characteristics Architectural Elements

19^th Century designers were greatly inspired by Gothic buildings from the 12^th to the 16^th Centuries. Renowned for its pointed arches, steep-sloping roofs and decorative openwork patterns, Gothic Design, liberates itself to us in this glorious and distinctive look.

Heraldic Motifs, found in coat of arms, was the result of research and studies composed from medieval chivalry in the 19^th Century. Painted Furniture with elaborate painted scenes was characteristic of the Gothic Revival Style.

In the second half of the 19^th Century, Historical Costumes, particularly those of the middle ages, captivated the people of those times and fancy dress events and parties became extremely popular. 

People:

AUGUSTUS WELBY NORTHMORE PUGIN (1812-1852)

The writing of Pugin, particularly Contrasts (1836) and True Principals of Pointed or Christian Architecture (1842) had a major influence on the style and theory of this era.  It was he that urged designers to work from the basic principles of Medieval art.

His work included St Giles in Cheadle, Church, Straffordshire, the Palace of Westminster and numerous designs for furniture, metalwork, ceramics, stained glass and wallpaper.

John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

John Ruskin was the most “influential art critic of this day”. His travels in Europe, and detailed watercolour studies, stirred up his interest in Medieval Architecture. The decoration and colour of buildings was his strength.  The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849) and The Stones of Venice (three volumes, 1851-1853), were his most sought after books. He promoted the return of the “spiritual values of the Middle Ages”

 

William Burges (1827 - 1881)

William Burges was known for his originality in design which also included furniture and metalwork.  His works included the art of the Middle Ages, the Islamic World and East Asia. Two of his most lavish buildings in Britain, Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch. Both their exterior were Inspired by French Medieval Castles whilst the interiors are enriched with coloured ceilings, panelled walls and painted ceilings.

 

Buildings and Interiors

The Palace of Westminster

In 1834, the British parliament building, was destroyed by fire. It was decided at the time that the new building should be rebuilt in the Gothic Revival Style, which by then was considered a British style. The building took 30 years to build and was designed by Charles Barry. His assistant, A.W.N. Pugin provided most of the Gothic detail. It is considered to be the largest and most dramatic Gothic Revival building in the world.

All Saints' church, Margaret Street, London

It was then, in the 19^th Century, when old churches were being restored and new ones built. Almost all boasted Gothic Revival style. All Saints, was designed by William Butterfield and built in the High Victorian Gothic style between 1850 to 1859. The Architectural influence of this design was not medieval inspired. The differently coloured bands of bricks on the exterior and the polished coloured stone and richly patterned walls and floors on the interior is a perfect example of High Victorian Gothic style.

St. Pancras Station

The 19^th Century saw also the age of railway construction and St. Pancras, then the London terminus of the Midland Railway is living proof of this. The Grand Hotel, was designed by George Gilbert Scott, one of the most renowned Gothic Revival architects. Built between 1866 and 1876, it has a curved brick façade, arcaded windows with polished granite shafts and an elaborate skyline and clock tower. Inside there are lavish staterooms and a dramatic staircase supported by exposed iron beams.

St.Pancras International Station, as it is known today, with international links to Paris sees thousands of commuters passing through this spectacular and grand national treasure every day.