Classicism

From Moscowiki

Classical style comes gradually to dominate Moscow architecture in the late 18th–19th centuries. Classicism opposed Baroque style with simple geometrical shapes, composed grandeur, clear and symmetrical composition with a well-defined centre; classicism intended to revive architectural forms of ancient Greece and Rome.

Two greatest representatives of the Classical style in Moscow were Vasily Bazhenov and Matvey Kozakov. Probably the best known creation of Bazhenov is the magnificent Pashkov House. As for Matvey Kozakov, he designed such important buildings in Moscow as the Senate in Kremlin, the Old University in Mokhovaya and the Column Hall of the House of Unions. Kozakov also worked out main types of a typical noble residence in Moscow.

Bazhenov and Kozakov paid tribute to another trend of that time as well – pseudo-Gothic style. Among Kozakov’s works are the reconstruction of the Tsaritsynsky palace (in Tsaritsyno park) and Petrovsky palace (Leningradsky prospekt, 40). Bazhenov in his turn tried to introduce features of Classicism into this exotic architectural style; that is well seen in his buildings in Tsaritsyno.