In 18th-century France, the neoclassicism of the Louis XVI style reflected a definite reaction against over-elaborate rococo and baroque designs; and with Napoleon's assumption of power late in the century, there came a deliberate artistic attempt to re-create the aura of Imperial Rome to give a sense of legitimacy and permanence to the new "empire." This French neoclassicism was soon reflected in many stylebooks published in England during the period. The present volume comprises a selection of 43 plates from one of these extremely rare British collections. It provides artists and illustrators with a host of elegant, royalty-free fine line illustrations depicting cherubs astride lions, gods and goddesses at play, figures draped in classical robes, cartouches, busts, and a wealth of other designs, all ready to add a touch of timeless classical elegance to a wide variety of print projects as well as numerous art and craft activities.

This is the first book to show the development of Russian architecture over the past thousand years as a part of the history of Western architecture. Dmitry Shvidkovsky, Russia’s leading architectural historian, departs from the accepted notion that Russian architecture developed independent of outside cultural influences and demonstrates that, to the contrary, the influence of the West extends back to the tenth century and continues into the present. He offers compelling assessments of all the main masterpieces of Russian architecture and frames a radically new architectural history for Russia. The book systematically analyzes Russian buildings in relation to developments in European art, pointing out where familiar European features are expressed in Russian projects. Special attention is directed toward decorations based on Byzantine models; the heritage of Italian master builders and carvers; the impact of architects and others sent by Elizabeth I; the formation of the Russian Imperial Baroque; the Enlightenment in Russian art; and 19th- and 20th-century European influences. With over 300 specially commissioned photographs of sites throughout Russia and western Europe, this magnificent book is both beautiful and groundbreaking.

Drawing on the extensive collections of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Design, as well as from sources across America and Europe, the author documents the changing tastes in pattern and color preferences. Richly illustrated with 102 color plates and over 245 black and white photographs, this book is a stunning achievement.

"In addition to Athens, many cities and towns throughout Greece followed the same architectural trend, expressed in the form of either Neoclassicism or late historicism. The urban landscape that emerged in Greece through the early twentieth century includes buildings that are remarkable both architecturally and artistically. Today, they attract an intense and growing interest."--Jacket.

Covers the history of French architecture during the 19th century.

Once condemned by Modernism and compared to a ‘crime’ by Adolf Loos, ornament has made a spectacular return in contemporary architecture. This is typified by the works of well-known architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, Sauerbruch Hutton, Farshid Moussavi Architecture and OMA. There is no doubt that these new ornamental tendencies are inseparable from innovations in computer technology. The proliferation of developments in design software has enabled architects to experiment afresh with texture, colour, pattern and topology. Though inextricably linked with digital tools and culture, Antoine Picon argues that some significant traits in ornament persist from earlier Western architectural traditions. These he defines as the ‘subjective’ – the human interaction that ornament requires in both its production and its reception – and the political. Contrary to the message conveyed by the founding fathers of modern architecture, traditional ornament was not meant only for pleasure. It conveyed vital information about the designation of buildings as well as about the rank of their owners. As such, it participated in the expression of social values, hierarchies and order. By bringing previous traditions in ornament under scrutiny, Picon makes us question the political issues at stake in today’s ornamental revival. What does it tell us about present-day culture? Why are we presently so fearful of meaning in architecture? Could it be that by steering so vehemently away from symbolism, contemporary architecture is evading any explicit contribution to collective values?