The spread and adaptation of neoclassical architecture in different countries
The neoclassical architectural movement grew out of a rejection of the popular architectural style of the mid-18th century, namely the rococo and baroque style of architecture. Seeking to revive the classical Greek and Roman style, neoclassicism spread rapidly throughout the world. However, like everything, even neoclassical architecture was to be subject to the filters of perspective. Individual countries and architects adapted neoclassicism to their appropriate context and for their appropriate function at their appropriate period. Though neoclassical architecture shares fundamental similar characteristics, the spread of neoclassicism throughout the world was by no means uniform and simultaneous. Indeed, the wide range of purpose that neoclassical architecture had throughout countries demonstrates why to group its movement into one singular era is not true to reality in the least.
For many years, neoclassical architecture, albeit without the title, existed as an extension of the excessive Baroque style. In England, in particular, architects such as Christopher Wren and William Kent designed buildings, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, that represented architecture in transition between these two movements. The concept of reviving classical Greek and Roman architecture into a separate movement became the principal dogma of the French Academy of Rome school under the tutelage of chiefly, Charles-Louis Clérisseau. Its practical implementation, however, was first developed in Paris. Under the reign of Louise XVI, French architects, such as Claude Nicholas Ledoux and Ange-Jacques Gabriel, constructed city gates and pavilions to begin bringing a sense of Roman classicism to France. With the overthrow of the monarch, however, neoclassicism began to serve a very different function under the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. For Napoleon, he was driven to revive Greek and Roman architecture not for his admiration for their architecture per se, but for the imperialistic civilizations they represented, exemplified by structures like the Arc de Triomphe.
Neoclassicism made its debut – or returned, it may be debated – to England under Robert Adam, a French Academy alumnus himself. While Adams focused primarily on bringing a sense of classical architectural style to England, it was Sir John Soane who sought, to a greater degree than Robert Adam, to make it represent important functions of English society. From economics with the Bank of England, to war healthcare with the Royal Hospital of Chelsea, to education with the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, the functions of neoclassicism diversified greatly. The English movement reflected the vast function neoclassical architecture can have beyond glorifying imperialism, warfare, or religious iconography.
Though initially neoclassicism was a rejection of the excesses represented in Baroque style that was popularly favored by Heads of States, soon neoclassic style became the preferred style of the societal elites too. In Russia, Catherine the Great elected Scottish architect, Charles Cameron to help redesign high-class Russian society and its symbols of power. Subsequently, Charles Cameron designed the Pavlovsk Palace, the Alexander Palace among others.
Neoclassical architecture too represented not only a rebirth of a style, but to Thomas Jefferson, it was ideal to embody the birth of a new republic too. Thomas Jefferson sought to use neoclassicism to pattern its identity after, reflected by US Capitol, the White House, and the Bank of Pennsylvania with their imposing columns and minimalist designs.