Moscow Architecture
From Moscowiki
Russian architecture evolved absorbing all interesting tendencies of West and East. It is possible to trace its development from the Early-Russian style influenced by Byzantium to Art Nouveau and Constructivism style. Queer combination of Baroque, Classicism, Empire and other styles makes the ancient Russian capital a real open-air museum of architecture.
Contents |
[edit] Early-Russian Architecture
The Early-Russian architectural heyday was closely connected with Kiev, Novgorod, Pskov, and Vladimir. Unfortunately there are no examples of early Muscovite architecture left: they were either destroyed or rebuilt. The earliest architectural pieces are dated 15th century. It was in 1479 that the Moscow treasure – the Assumption Cathedral in Kremlin – was constructed to a design by Italian architect Aristotle Fioravanti; here he managed to combine features of typical Early-Russian architecture, which he had studied in Vladimir, with Early-Renaissance.
[edit] Baroque Style
17th century introduced a new style in Moscow architecture – Baroque style. Architecture of the 16th century used to play up with space and volume; new style rose interest to ornamentation. Moscow Baroque style is found mostly in church architecture: Vysokopetrovsky monastery, Church of the Intercession in Fili, St. Nikolay’s Church in Khamovniki, the Novodevichy convent, etc. This style is often referred to as Naryshkinskoe baroque after Naryshkiny family, who donated money for construction of many churches; some were located in their own estates.
[edit] Classicism and Empire Style
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.
The final phase in the development of Classicism in Moscow is known as Moscow Empire style. It elaborated war and patriotic motives; among its typical ornamentation details were laurels, burning torches and ancient Gods of Victory. The Empire style spread after the Great Fire in 1812 when almost entire Moscow was razed to the ground and the hearts of Muscovites were overfilled with patriotic feelings.
[edit] Pseudo-Russian Style
In 1830s an eclectic style marched into Russian architecture "dethroning" Classical style. This new trend known as Pseudo-Russian style was orientated towards Early-Russian architecture, using its ornamental motives and compositional techniques. There were two main streams in Pseudo-Russian style. The first one was called Russian-Byzantian style, the second stream was known as the "democratic" version.
[edit] Art Nouveau
The end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century is an era of one of the most interesting styles in Moscow architecture – Art Nouveau (Moderne). In contradiction to the Pseudo-Russian style, Moderne didn’t want to copy the past; as it is obvious from its very name, it aimed at the creation of new architectural forms, introducing new artistic values. Every Art Nouveau house was supposed to be unique just as people are. Architects working in this style worshipped nature with its freedom of lines, colours, volumes, movements. They abandoned symmetry, explored unconventional motives and designs, paid special attention to architectural details previously regarded as secondary ones (windows, oriels, balconies).
[edit] Constructivism
In 1920s followers of Constructivism in architecture tried to analyze possibilities of "constructing" the surrounding world and attempted to bring form and function together. Their constructions are immediately recognizable due to unexpected combinations of simple geometrical shapes (cube, sphere, parallelepiped, etc.), asymmetrical composition, and inclined planes. Best samples of Constructivism in Moscow are the office of the “Izvestiya” newspaper on Pushkinskaya ploschad by Grigory Barkhin and creations by Konstantin Melnikov – Rusakov club and architect’s mansion in Krivoarbatsky Pereulok.
[edit] Stalin Empire Style. Post-Stalinist Architecture
Utopia of constructivists faded away as another Utopia of Stalin’s style came to dominate Moscow architecture for many decades. It was based on the most sumptuous and ceremonial samples of Classicism bringing back to life excessive ornamentations (columns, porticos, sculptures) and monumental sizes. It is often called Stalin Empire Style or "Triumph Style" as it spread over the country after the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
[edit] Unrealized in Architecture: The Palace of Soviets
See the major acticle the Palace of Soviets
