An examination of how antiquity lives on in Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture
Today, when something is no longer important or relevant, we often use the phrase, “that’s ancient history.” However, when it comes to the Graeco-Roman period, Classical antiquity never truly became “ancient history” or irrelevant. Despite what many would perhaps believe, antiquity has yet to go “out of style” and has managed to create a sort of “brand” that still lives on today. In fact, it is probably one of the very few periods that has managed to cling on for centuries. Today, one can never really escape antiquity, and if we look around in large cities worldwide, particularly in Europe, the Graeco-Roman influence is everywhere, especially in architecture.
Mainstream media frequently presents European history after the fall of the Roman Empire (500-1400 CE) as rather “uninspiring” or perhaps dull; at least in comparison to the rich culture of its predecessor, the Graeco-Roman era. However, despite there not being as many cultural advancements made in comparison, the Middle Ages or the “Dark Ages”- as it is often referred to, were not as insipid as many often believe. In fact, one of the greatest misconceptions about the Middle Ages being dark and uncultured can be seen in the Gothic style. Gothic churches are certainly not dark and dingy, but are large and airy, with abundant natural light coming in through colorful, ornate windows. Additionally, Latin had its most prolific post-Roman period during the Middle Ages, but it was not really until the Renaissance period (14th-17th century) that Classical antiquity became relevant in art and architecture again.
The Renaissance symbolized the “rebirth” of the Classical era, and it’s here where ancient history stopped being “ancient history” and became the main source of inspiration in art and architecture, where architectural styles often drew obvious influence from Classical architecture and continued to do so for centuries on. This can clearly be seen in some styles more than others, like the Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassicism. Thus, when we walk around and experience many metropolitan cities in Europe, and even elsewhere, the influences from antiquity surround us. Amazing, right?
As the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” indicates, it seems rather fitting to demonstrate this by viewing a selection of great examples of Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture.
Perhaps it is good to note here that the aim is not to describe in detail the characteristics of Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture and analyze examples of buildings within each style- but more to describe the style regarding the characteristics that derive directly from antiquity. To explain how antiquity never really went out of style and how ancient history can never truly be “ancient history”.
Renaissance Architecture
When viewing Renaissance architecture, the Classical influences are easily recognizable. Without going into details, the main characteristics of Renaissance architecture are the emphasis on symmetry, mathematical proportions, and geometrical shapes. Other important elements include the use of columns with capitals from the Classical Greek Orders, pilasters (a rectangular column), architraves (the beam resting on the columns), pediments (the triangle part on the top of the building face), arches, domes, and vaults.
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence (Italy)
Front façade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Allan Parsons.
Uffizi Gallery in Florence (Italy)
View of the cortile (inner courtyard) of the Uffizi building. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Michelle Maria.
Piazza San Marco in Venice (Italy)
Piazza San Marco in Venice. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Aspargos.
Palace of Charles V in Granada (Spain)
Patio of the Palace of Charles V in Granada. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Ra-smit.
When you compare these four images, some perhaps have a more “Classical character” than the others, at least at first sight. However, once we consider the characteristics of Renaissance architecture, the Classical influence becomes apparent straight away. All four buildings are designed with an emphasis on symmetry and equal proportions, and all embrace geometrical shapes as well as rhythm. The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence particularly demonstrates this with its rather simplistic façade, carefully decorated with geometrical patterns, all equally proportioned and symmetrical. Their placement creates a great sense of balance, rhythm, and harmony. What perhaps can be viewed as more “obviously” influenced from antiquity are the geometrical patterns which remind us of ancient Greek pottery from the Geometrical period, as well as other architectural elements such as columns and pilasters with capitals following the Classical order, arches, and architectural details from ancient temples. Also, if you take a look at the upper half of the façade, you might notice that it resembles the front of an ancient temple standing on top of another temple without a pediment.
The courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence also displays architectural elements that have been borrowed from ancient temples, such as geometrical shapes, particularly triangles and squares, as well as columns and arches. The use of symmetry and mathematical proportions is also noticeable. Another incredible example is the Piazza San Marco in Venice. The rhythm of the colonnade (a long row of columns) is particularly astonishing. Simple, yet strong and powerful. This can also be said about the patio of the Palace of Charles V in Granada, with its circular form. What best describes these four buildings is Classical symmetry, rhythm, and geometrical proportions – they are truly Renaissance.
Baroque Architecture
Originating in Rome, Baroque architecture was much grander and more decorative. I often feel like the best way to describe the style is that it is a more dynamic and elaborate version of the Renaissance. The continuance of the Renaissance, but on steroids - often seems rather fitting. Baroque architecture is dynamic, with magnificent and elaborate details, and focus on grandeur. Geometry is still relevant, but Baroque architecture goes outside of the Renaissance box of simple squares, rectangles, and circles, and the use of geometry becomes more complex. In comparison, Renaissance architecture appears reserved and simpler, while Baroque architecture is much more complex and lavish, with many intricate details and often brightly colored. There is also more movement and drama.
Just like the Renaissance, Classical antiquity is still highly relevant during the Baroque period, and the style borrows many elements such as pediments (the triangle on top of the building face), decorative friezes (the panels with imagery), arches, domes, columns, and capitals following the Classical Order.
St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (United Kingdom)
The front façade of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Helloworld314.
Trevi Fountain in Rome (Italy)
The Trevi Fountain in Rome. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Diliff.
Karlskirche in in Vienna (Austria)
Karlskirche in Vienna. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Thomos Ledl.
The Classical elements borrowed from Greek and Roman architecture are apparent when viewing these three buildings. The most obvious elements are the use of columns and decorative sculptures. All buildings are very Baroque. They are dramatic, grand, and lavishly decorated. A closer view of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London reveals a somewhat temple-front façade. A temple on top of a colonnade. The Cathedral has all the Baroque “bells and whistles” – it is grand and dramatic, lavishly decorated with a pediment, friezes, columns with Corinthian capitals, arches, and a lot of complex geometrical patterns. There is nothing simple or reserved about St. Paul’s Cathedral. The building clearly lives and breathes the Graeco-Roman influence, and in a way, it almost seems like this is exactly what the ancient Greeks or Romans would have built – if they had lived during this period.
The Graeco-Roman influences in the Karlskirche (St. Charles’ Church) in Vienna are much like the cathedral in London. When viewing the front façade, what stands out the most is the two colossal columns on each side of the “temple-front” – the reference to Roman triumphal columns such as Trajan’s Column are obvious. The building also ticks all the boxes when it comes to Baroque architecture – the high dome ceiling, lavish decorations, columns and pilasters, complex geometrical patterns, and even colors such as green and gold. The Karlskirche is truly a Baroque beauty.
Perhaps the most known example is the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Here we have a true Baroque hero. The Trevi Fountain feels like a complete package when it comes to the Graeco-Roman influences. Not only do we have architectural details such as columns, capitals, arches, etc., but we also have grand sculptures - mythological figures. Here, there is a story to be told. There is movement, and the entire scene is dramatic and extremely grand. Go big or go home seems to have been the motto here – and it simply works.
Neoclassical Architecture
In a way, Neoclassical architecture is much like the style of the Renaissance and Baroque. However, the style is much more laid back, especially in comparison to the Baroque and especially the Rococo Ages. Perhaps Neoclassical architecture can be seen as being much “truer” to the rebirth of the Classical era since the style does borrow rather extensively from the Graeco-Roman period. The style goes back to the basic principles of Greek and Roman architecture. It is rather simple, rigid, and stern with straight lines - and with much fewer ornaments. The influences from antiquity can be seen in, for example, vaults, domes, coffered ceilings, simple forms, temple-front faces with pediments, columns with Doric, Ionic or Corinthian capitals. There is also the use of sculptures.
There also seems to be an emphasis on light, space, and rationality. In comparison to Renaissance and Baroque architecture, Neoclassicism seems to be much truer to antiquity, not only regarding art and architecture but perhaps also ideology.
The Altes Museum in Berlin (Germany)
The Altes Museum in Berlin at night. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Leonhard Lenz.
Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Rome (Italy)
The view of the monument taken from Piazza Venezia. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by ThePhotografer.
The White House in Washington D.C. (USA)
The front façade of the White House. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Cezary Piwowarczyk.
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. (USA)
An aerial view of the monument. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Carol M. Highsmith.
The Academy of Athens in Athens (Greece)
The main building of Greece’s national academy. Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Thomas Wolf.
When viewing the images above, the contrast and difference between Neoclassical architecture versus the style of architecture of the Renaissance and Baroque is obvious. Neoclassicism is much simpler and goes back to the basic foundation of Greek and Roman architecture. While the gigantic Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Rome is perhaps more extravagant than the other examples, it is very true to Graeco-Roman architecture with two porticoes between a colonnade with Corinthian capitals. There are also many bronze sculptures and other ornaments that draw us back to antiquity.
The White House in Washington D.C. is a great example of the scaled-back and simple façade, with a direct reference to antiquity. The building is very rigid, clean with straight lines and very “Classical” and perhaps “ideal.”
The Altes Museum in Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. are other great examples of buildings directly borrowing from Greek and Roman architecture, clearly drawing inspiration from ancient temples, built with colonnades with capitals following the Classical order (Ionic in the Altes Museum and Doric for the Lincoln Monument and Brandenburg Gate).
Finally, we have the magnificent Academy of Athens. When viewing the image, it almost feels like being transported back to ancient Greece. The main building gives you the sense of being in front of an ancient Greek temple, with the Ionic columns, pediment adorned with sculptures of the Greek gods, and two monumental sculptures of Greek deities sitting on top of two colossal triumphal columns on each side of the “temple.” The sense of the building is “pure”, “clean,” and very Classical.
It is clear to see that ancient history, and in particular here, ancient architecture is very much alive and well. Despite the several centuries that separate us from “ancient history”, we still emulate it today. We design our most culturally and historically important modern buildings to reflect ancient art and architecture. We are still heavily invested in our ancient history no matter how long ago it happened.
Text: Linda Persson. MENAM Archeology. Copyright 2022
Further Reading:
Honour, H & Fleming, J. 2016. A World History of Art. Laurence King Publishing, London.
Ahlstrand, J.T. 2010. Arkitektur Termer: Lexikon över svenska, engelska, tyska och franska arrkitektur- och stadsplanetermer. Holmbergs, Malmö.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Renaissance architecture". Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/art/Renaissance-architecture. Accessed 1 December 2022.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Baroque architecture". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Feb. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/art/Baroque-architecture. Accessed 1 December 2022.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Neoclassical architecture". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Mar. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/art/green-architecture. Accessed 1 December 2022.
DeCombo (2022). Architectural history from prehistory to the present. DeCombo. Available at https://decombo.com/architectural-history/ (Accessed: November 28, 2022).
List of images:
Front façade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Image by Allan Parsons, August 30, 2013. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY 2.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Basilica_di_Santa_Maria_Novella_1,_Florence.jpg
View of the cortile (inner courtyard) of the Uffizi building. Image by Michelle Maria, February 12, 2013. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY 3.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Florence,_Italy_Uffizi_Museum_-_panoramio_(5).jpg
Piazza San Marco. Image by Aspargos, February 12, 2017. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY 3.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tourists_in_Piazza_San_Marco_(Venice)_2.jpg
Patio of the Palace of Charles V in Granada. Image by Ra-smit, November 16, 2007. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Patio_Paleis_Karel_V.jpg
The front façade of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Image by Helloworld314, April 7, 2017. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Pauls_Cathedral_West_Front.jpg
The Trevi Fountain. Image by Diliff, May 1, 2007. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY 3.0) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trevi_Fountain,_Rome,_Italy_2_-_May_2007.jpg
Karlskirche in Vienna. Image by Thomas Ledl, April 25, 2016. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karlskirche_Abendsonne_1.jpg
The Altes Museum in Berlin at night. Image by Leonhard Lenz, January 17, 2021. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Altes_Museum_Berlin_at_night_2021-01-17_02.jpg
Altare della Patria. Image by ThePhotografer, May 12, 2022. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY-SA 4.0 licence) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Altare_della_Patria_(Roma).jpg
The front façade of the White House. Photo by Cezary Piwowarczyk, July 17, 2008. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY-SA 4.0 licence) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_House_Washington.JPG
Aerial view of the Lincoln Monument. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, May 16, 2010. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aerial_view_of_Lincoln_Memorial_-_east_side_EDIT.jpeg
The main building of Greece’s national academy. Photo by Thomas Wolf, June 2, 2015. Wikimedia Commons. (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE licence) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Akademie_von_Athen.jpg
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