Back to the Basics

Neoclassical architecture took place after the Rococo period. After many pastel colours, extravagant florals and decorations, the neoclassical period was about rejecting this form of art and really getting back to the purity of Rome.

  • This is an example of a Neoclassical building.
  • This is an example of a Rococo building.

This style of architecture was all about simplicity on a grand scale, with many geometric forms. There were also many dramatic large columns and blank walls. Domes and towers were not commonly used in this style. There were some flowers decorating the outside in geometric flower beds. Everything had a very clean and precise look to it

You can see in the above image, how the roofs were kept flat, a common characteristic for Neoclassical.

Early Neoclassical architects were inspired by the work of Étienne-Louis Boullée and Claude Nicolas Ledoux. Boullées’ graphite drawings consisted of geometric shaped architecture that was suppsosed to depict the eternality of the universe. This was very inspiring to the Neoclassical period of architecture. Ledoux also had a big part in this period as he brought fourth the idea of architectural character, claiming a buildings purpose should immediately become clear upon first glance. These two men’s work definitely impacted the Neoclassical period.

The Neoclassical style of architecture has a very timeless elegance to it, that embraces the whole “less is more concept”. The Rococo period left traditionalist scarred and eager to get back to their Roman roots, leading to the birth of this period. Neoclassical is a timeless form of architecture that will never go out of style.

Works Cited

Design, World of Level. NeoClassical Architecture, https://worldofleveldesign.com/categories/architecture/neoclassical/neoclassical_architecture.php.

“Neoclassical Architecture.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassical_architecture.