Influence of Christianity and Industrialization Technics on the Ornamentation of Architecture
Disciplines
Architectural History and Criticism
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Over the past six centuries, a decline in the influence of Christianity and an increase in modern technology has led to the development of contemporary architecture that is devoid of the craftsman’s touch. The present-day desire for architecture that integrates nature and artistic expression is mirrored by the Gothic Revivalists’ want for the return of hand-crafted material. This paper will focus on architectural movements during the 15th century through 19th century and how they respond to each other and the social changes of the time. The earliest examples will begin with the Renaissance’s humanist shift from the focus on the importance of God to the importance of science and humanity. Then the Protestant Reformation and the following response of the Catholic church in the Baroque period will continue to exemplify the awe-inspiring ornamented style. In the 18th and 19th century we find another call for return to focus on God in the Gothic Revival movement which highlights the importance of allowing God’s creation to craft. This is especially sought after during the Industrial movement in which production was becoming increasingly defined by the capability of machinery rather than man. By outlining the correlation between the influence of Christianity and the resulting detail and focus on craftsman versus the increasingly austere architecture of the industrialization movement, we can see how a focus on the sacredness of nature and man’s craft and production techniques influence the styles and ornamentation of architecture.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM - Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Ehsan Sheikholharam
Influence of Christianity and Industrialization Technics on the Ornamentation of Architecture
Over the past six centuries, a decline in the influence of Christianity and an increase in modern technology has led to the development of contemporary architecture that is devoid of the craftsman’s touch. The present-day desire for architecture that integrates nature and artistic expression is mirrored by the Gothic Revivalists’ want for the return of hand-crafted material. This paper will focus on architectural movements during the 15th century through 19th century and how they respond to each other and the social changes of the time. The earliest examples will begin with the Renaissance’s humanist shift from the focus on the importance of God to the importance of science and humanity. Then the Protestant Reformation and the following response of the Catholic church in the Baroque period will continue to exemplify the awe-inspiring ornamented style. In the 18th and 19th century we find another call for return to focus on God in the Gothic Revival movement which highlights the importance of allowing God’s creation to craft. This is especially sought after during the Industrial movement in which production was becoming increasingly defined by the capability of machinery rather than man. By outlining the correlation between the influence of Christianity and the resulting detail and focus on craftsman versus the increasingly austere architecture of the industrialization movement, we can see how a focus on the sacredness of nature and man’s craft and production techniques influence the styles and ornamentation of architecture.