The 19th 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
19th
Century designers were greatly inspired by Gothic buildings from the 12th
to the 16th 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 19th
Century. Painted Furniture with
elaborate painted scenes was characteristic of the Gothic Revival Style.
In the second half of the 19th
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 19th
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 19th 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.
