Empire style is a style covered with a touch of antiquity and luxury. One look at the facade of the house in Empire style is enough to draw a conclusion about the high status of its owner.
The house in the Empire style attracts its mystery. Elegant architecture is remembered and amazes with its greatness.
A cozy country house in the west of Austria.
Luxury Mikhailovsky Palace in St. Petersburg.
In this article, read:
- 1 Origin of style
- 2 Russian Empire
- 3 Stalin's architecture
- 4 Current View
- 5 The Stalin Empire. A bit of history. Video
- 6 Luxury Empire in Architecture
Origin of style
The name comes from the French word Empire, which translates as "empire". It was formed in France at the beginning of the XIX century, and in its formation and distribution a great role was played by the painter Jacques-Louis David. The then Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, and his closest associates liked the furniture that the artist made. This was the beginning of a new style, which was called the style of the empire.
It is not surprising that the development and popularization of the Empire style took place during the reign of Napoleon, because he saw the purpose of art in praising his military achievements. The style of the empire in its formation was based on rationality, the stability of norms and historicism.
Features of the Empire architecture are: the use of order systems, the predominance of massive geometric volumes, parade pathos and theatrical splendor, which were sought using Roman and Greek imagery.
Architectural elements in the form of stucco molding from gypsum adorn the facade of the house in Empire style. Fanciful, intricate patterns make the exterior unusual.
The style of Empire is noteworthy for the skilful design of the facade of the building.
This style is inherent in monumentality. The main facade of the buildings was often decorated with massive porticos. Other basic decorative elements of style:
- pediments with bas-reliefs;
- Legionnaire signs with eagles, lions;
- a bundle of copies, shields and lictor axes;
- monument;
- balconies and columns;
- lepenka;
- rotunda and rustы.
The style of the Empire with its monumental massiveness and exquisite decor, with which the facade of buildings was often designed, was designed to demonstrate the degeneration of classicism, its attributes and forms. But many states did not accept this style because of its coldness, rigidity and obvious ideological orientation. The fact is that most of Europe was conquered by Napoleon and such conquered states as Germany and Austria refused to use the Empire in their architecture.
In the Empire style, triumphal arches, commemorative obelisks and numerous columns were built.
Decoration in the Empire style is ideal for creating country mansions.
The style of Empire can also be laconic and restrained. The decoration of the house is close to the classic, but the decorative elements of the facade indicate the presence of the Empire style.
Russian Empire
As you know, the army of the Russian Empire in 1812 broke the army of Napoleon. And the noble society after the victory over the usurper again flared with love for everything French. It was in Paris a couple of years after the end of the war that Alexander I received from the French architect Pierre Fontaine several dozen interior design projects and furniture. This meeting is considered the beginning of the Russian empire.
He was noticeably different from the French original: it was softer, freer, more plastic. Buildings in Russia were not characterized by the coldness of the style of the empire, its excessive splendor and excessive heaviness. But the Russian empire is strictly symmetrical, solemn, full of military symbols. The majestic facade of this house was intended to emphasize the high social position of its owner.
Of course, the most widespread empire was in the northern capital. So, in this style the following architectural constructions were built:
- Saint Isaac's Cathedral;
- Kazan Cathedral;
- Admiralty building;
- Transfiguration Cathedral;
- Trinity Cathedral;
- The Narva Triumphal Gates;
- The Moscow Triumphal Gates.
In both Russia and France, Empire existed until the middle of the XIX century, was replaced in architecture by various eclectic currents. Empire is considered to be the final stage of the evolution of classicism.
Russian Empire стал одним из самых популярных направлений в архитектуре.
Grandiose architectural creations in the style of Russian Empire are reverently preserved from year to year.
Stalin's architecture
However, it was among the diversity of architectural eclecticism that Empire style was revived in the USSR in the 1930s-1950s. in a form somewhat interpreted under Soviet realities. This direction was called the Stalin Empire, or Soviet monumental classicism.
The symbol of this style was the famous Stalin skyscrapers, over the project of which a huge number of outstanding Soviet architects worked. The striking feature of these buildings is the proximity of precious rocks with artificial marble and even papier-mâché.
The whole architecture of the Stalinist Empire, like Napoleonic, had an ideological focus. So, the bas-relief of the building of the Lenin Library depicts people carrying gifts, which speaks of the expectation of future abundance and happiness. Instead of traditional decorative ornaments, elements of popular Soviet symbols were used, such as five-pointed stars, sheaves of ears, laurel wreaths and others. Instead of antique sculptures - the figures of workers.
Stalin's Empire also penetrated into the interior of the premises. An embodiment of pretentiousness and pomposity is the metro station Avtovo in St. Petersburg. In its design there are powerful columns of columns, decorated with bronze, marble and glass, and massive chandeliers, and mosaics, and numerous stucco details.
The resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU "On the elimination of excesses in design and construction" put an end to the era of Stalin's Empire.
Stalin's Empire became a separate architectural direction.
Buildings built in the style of architectural empire, are now known throughout the world.
Current view
In connection with the fact that Empire means massive and luxurious interior, houses in this style are not in great demand in the real estate market because of its high cost. Today, the facade of such houses suggests thoughts about noblemen's estates and palaces. Houses in Empire style demonstrate the enviable financial position of their owners.
These houses have two or three floors. The structure is dominated by rectangular and arched forms. Rectangular windows with a relief design are very elongated in length. A notable element of this house is the main staircase.
From the inside of the house are bright spacious rooms with high ceilings. In interiors bright, contrasting shades are used. A combination of bronze color with gold and with mahogany is very common. Decorative elements, which form the facade and interior, are often made of expensive and high-quality materials.
House in Empire style in the western suburbs.
The design project for the house in Empire style was created specially for the order. The decoration of the courtyard also corresponds to the style.
For those who have a limited budget, but a great desire to decorate their house in the style of the empire, designers suggest creating a so-called minimalist empire. Thanks to modern technologies, it is possible to realize a project of a house in Empire style in life using polyurethane stucco molding. This strong polymer will retain the attractive appearance of the decor elements and help create relief shapes. A good purchase will be a set of antique furniture, decor elements with antique or militaristic motifs.
Facing panels with their various color solutions will help create a facade of the house in Empire style.
It can be both traditional red-brown walls with white decoration, as well as another color solution within the framework of this architectural style.
House in Empire style for two centuries is an indicator of respectability and good taste. Its facade with relief ornamentation, massive composition and luxurious decor allow creating an atmosphere of aristocracy and selectivity.
The country house is decorated in Empire style. The memorable façade testifies to the unsurpassed taste of its owner.
Non-standard design of the facade in Empire style with echoes of Art Nouveau style.
