THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD IN ARCHITECTURE

Draw an architectural timeline with approximate dates including the following periods in Western architecture:

Baroque Ancient Egyptian GothicClassical (Ancient Greek and Roman)Renaissance

Ancient Egypt: 3,050 – 900 BC (3950 years)Classical: 850 BC – 476 AD (1326 years)Gothic: 1100 – 1450 (350 years)Renaissance: 1400 – 1600 (200 years)Baroque: 1600 – 1830 (230 years)

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE (1100 – 1450)

What is the social order of the Middle Ages?

What is the basis of knowledge in the Middle Ages?

What are the architectural characteristics of the Middle Ages?

THE SOCIAL ORDERFeudalism: Land-owners; serfs; clergy

BASIS OF KNOWLEDGEReligion (monastic orders)

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICSThe castle and the cathedral as markers of power

Chartres Cathedral, France, 1194-1260

St. Denis, France, Abbot Suger, begun 1144, Interior light

St. Denis, France, begun 1144, Rose Window(Symbol of the sun (Christ) and the rose (Virgun Mary as “rose without thorns”)

Chartes cathedral as the center of the cult of Mariolatry (worship of Virgin Mary) in France, posesses the tunic of Virgin Mary which was a gift to the town from King Charles. Hence the town was associated with the royal house.

Medieval castle, Wales, c. 1300

THE RENAISSANCE (1400 – 1600)

What is the social order of the period?

What is the governing philosophy of the period?

What are the architectural characteristics of the period?

SOCIAL ORDERBirth of the bourgeoisie – the city – trade

GOVERNING PHILOSOPHYHumanism (classical texts)

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICSRe-birth of Classical AntiquityBirth of «theory», innovations in practiceThe birth of the Palazzo

Leonardo da Vinci, Sketchbook, c. 1500

Leon Battista Alberti, 1404-1472

Studied at universities of Padua and Bologna, had masterg of Greek, Latin and law

Leonardo da Vinci and Cesariano, ideal proportions

Francesco di Giorgio, c. 1470

P. Brunelleschi, The Duomo of S. Maria del Fiore, Florence, 1299-1367

The Duomo of S. Maria del Fiore, Florence, 1299-1367

8 major, 16 minor ribs arranged in doubles in between. Major and minor ribs are tied to minimize side thrusts. Two shells to keep out humidity and to increase scaleThe dome was built in horizontal courses . The lantern holds a large ring of 15 m.s

Pienza, Palazzo Piccolomini, Rossellino, 1462

Pienza, Palazzo Piccolomini, Rossellino, 1462