ECLECTIC ARCHITECTURE: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS, EXAMPLES - ART - 2025

The eclectic architecture was a tendency typical of this type of artistic expression particularly popular during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The main characteristic of this trend was that it had elements of different styles. The reason is that the exponents of eclectic art did not cling to fixed rules or patterns; that is why it was considered a heterogeneous style.

In the mid-nineteenth century, eclecticism experienced its most important architectural moment. Its impact was much stronger on the European continent, although it was in Russia (a transcontinental nation because it is part of Asia and Europe) where the clearest examples of this style were created.

The Brussels courthouse is one of the most representative works of eclectic architecture. Source: Uppploader

It has been determined that the first works were built in France. One of the goals of eclectic architects was to be able to build works with more creativity by not following pre-established patterns.

History

Before eclecticism became a trend, architects of the time worked according to the norms of the neoclassical movement. During the first half of the 19th century there was no consensus on the style of construction and they were guided by Roman or Greek parameters.

The architects began to experiment with the mixture of many of the existing styles, with characteristics typical of other movements such as the baroque, the oriental or with Hellenistic details. This combination began eclecticism as a trend in the mid-19th century.

Eclectic architecture was characterized by not following patterns, but rather mixed ideas. However, with the passage of time the different exponents of this trend were showing common ground. For example, the works were built prioritizing more modern materials, although without forgetting elements such as stone or wood.

Also, eclecticism was defined as a movement. The works also began to be defined taking into account the function they had to fulfill.

characteristics

The most significant element of eclectic architecture is that it brings together two or more artistic movements in a single construction. This factor has made it a very difficult trend to distinguish because it developed in very varied contexts in each country and therefore there are more differences than similarities.

One way to combine styles was to use designs and ideas from old works, but with tools and materials typical of modernity. This showed the great impact that the Industrial Revolution had in all aspects.

Europe vs America

Although eclectic architecture was experienced with greater intensity in Europe, the American continent also presented works of this artistic trend. Russia, France and Germany were some of the countries where the influence of this style was experienced most strongly.

France was a pioneer, even a reference for the training of architects under the ideas of eclecticism. The School of Fine Arts in Paris played a fundamental role in the development of this style.

In Europe, eclectic features began to be seen to a greater extent in government buildings. While in the United States it gained popularity at the end of the 19th century.

Richard Morris or Charles Follen were some of the exponents who were in charge of bringing eclectic ideas to America. Both were formed in Paris and began the transformation of churches, public buildings and even cinemas thanks to the ideas of eclecticism.

Important architects

There were many exponents of eclectic architecture. Each one also stood out for different reasons, since each country had its own characteristics or regionalisms in the buildings that were built during this time.

Germany

For example, Karl Friedrich Schinkel was very important in Germany, specifically in the Berlin area. He had several stages, first a trip to Italy influenced him towards a style and then he traveled to England where he experimented with new ideas.

There were also Leo von Klenze or Gottfried Semper. The former was very influential in Munich and played a fundamental role in urban design.

For his part, Semper was an architect of Germanic origin who broke out of the mold by stating that decorations were the most relevant part of a work.

John ruskin

His contribution at the bibliographic level was very important. The Englishman was the author of The Seven Lamps of Architecture, a book that was published in 1849. He was totally contrary to the ideas of the Frenchman Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc.

His most important role was as an art critic. Thanks to that he managed to influence many of the constructions and works of the time.

Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc

The French stood out more for his work as a restorer. In that sense, he managed to work on buildings of great importance such as La Santa Capilla and the Cathedral of Our Lady, better known as Notre-Dame.

Examples of works with eclectic architecture

The eclectic constructions were used with all kinds of motifs. From government buildings, religious buildings or private residences.

Colon Theater in Buenos Aires

Construction began at the end of the 19th century and the works lasted about 20 years. It is one of the most important theaters in the world. It was a work of two architects of Italian origin and a Belgian: Tamburini, Meano and Formal.

It has influence from Italy and France. Some spaces have characteristics of the Renaissance style, like the main hall that also combines details from the Baroque period.

Palace of Justice of Brussels

The work was completed in the late 19th century and took almost two decades to build. It integrates neoclassical and neo-baroque elements. It inspired similar buildings in other parts of the world, such as Peru or during Nazism in Germany.

Palace of Justice of Rome

It took more than 20 years to finish this work. The Italian Guglielmo Calderini mixed characteristics of the Baroque period with Renaissance details.

Villa Bianca in Greece

It is one of the most important examples of eclectic architecture in private buildings. It was a mansion that was built during the second decade of the 20th century in the city of Thessaloniki where this artistic trend was very common.

It combined characteristics of Baroque architecture, Modernism and Renaissance architects.

Slope

Around the 30s of the 20th century, eclectic architecture was losing importance. The education of the time no longer took the ideas of this movement into account, and attention shifted to modernism.

The emergence of modernism as a new trend was stronger because it was considered something totally new and innovative. Unlike the eclectic architecture that copied many things from ancient periods.

Furthermore, the emergence of new construction materials and new techniques further accelerated this change.

References

1. Coote, Robert James. The Eclectic Odyssey Of Atlee B. Ayres, Architect. Texas A&M University Press, 2001.
2. Harris, Cyril M. Illustrated Dictionary Of Historic Architecture. Dover Publications, 2013.
3. Knapp, Ronald G, and A. Chester Ong. Chinese Houses Of Southeast Asia. Tuttle Publishing, 2013.
4. Packard, Robert T et al. Encyclopedia Of American Architecture. McGraw-Hill, 1995.
5. Winters, Nathan B. Architecture Is Elementary. Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2010.