StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Christian Church Art Architecture - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
1 The Architectural Styles of the Church of the Immaculate Conception During the 20th century the architectural designs that were used to produce the churches and cathedrals were mainly developed from an amalgam of various design features 'borrowed' from previous periods and styles…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.4% of users find it useful
Christian Church Art Architecture
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Christian Church Art Architecture"

Download file to see previous pages

In fact, this is the building that I will attempt to effectively 'dissect' in order to ascertain to what extent it has been constructed from an amalgam of various styles as well as attempting to identify the particular styles in question. First, let us look at the details behind the design and construction of this building. The actual construction of this building began in 1851 and reached its completion some six years later. However, due to extensive damage, the building was reconstructed in the 1920s although the reconstruction remained true to the original design.

The building was designed and built under the direction of Fr. John Cambiaso who was a Jesuit originating from Lyon in France. We learn that Fr. Cambiaso actually learnt the practice of architectural design during his stay in Spain and this gives us some clues behind his particular use of certain elements within the design. Because as we see from our first view of the church from the outside (fig. 1) it distinctly reminds us of those buildings that were produced under the Islamic and Moorish influences that were so predominant in the seventh and eighth centuries, especially in countries such as Persia, Egypt and Spain.(1) 2 Fig. 1 As we can see, the Moorish elements of this building are typical of how the designers let their imaginations play a little with both patterns and forms to produce designs that were almost dreamlike.

However, another building that comes to mind here (especially with regards to the second level arches) is the Palace of the Doges of Venice that was built in the 14th century. It is from this that we learn that our particular church was in reality designed in a Venetian Gothic Style. It is then that we begin to notice the elements of this building that are so essential to the Gothic. In the words of the art historian Heinrich Wolfflin, we notice how in the gothic "…the vertical movement streams upwards without check and dissolves playfully at the top" (Wolfflin 60).

We know that the Gothic architects were particularly fond of intricate ornament and tracery and here we see examples of how, again in the words of Wolfflin, "[The Gothic] developed in the direction of ever slimmer and more pointed shapes, to a point of extreme exaggeration" (75). In fact, the Venetian Gothic Style was effectively revived during the 19th century. This revival was mainly down to the work of the British architectural critic, John Ruskin especially his book entitled The Stones of Venice (2).

It was Ruskin who spoke of the lightness and soaring spaces of this style and, once inside the church, this is the first thing that strikes us. In fact, the massive height of the nave although typical of most churches in New Orleans is particularly stunning (fig 2) 3 Fig 2 The nave is lined with intricate arcading and 'triforium' windows so typically expansive enough for Gothic taste to permit huge amounts of natural light to swarm the interior. The arcading is layered on intricately designed columns that incorporate the geometric designs so familiar within the Moorish style.

There is also what is known as a Solomonic column (fig 3) that features a kind of corkscrew design. This style of column actually dates back to ancient Jerusalem and has become popularly used since because of its symbolic reference to the gates of paradise. Further adornments include chandeliers constructed of fine bronze, which again appear to be of Moorish style (fig 3). However, further

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Christian Church Art Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1418650-christian-church-art-architecture
(Christian Church Art Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1418650-christian-church-art-architecture.
“Christian Church Art Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1418650-christian-church-art-architecture.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Christian Church Art Architecture

Religious Architectures

This paper is going to discuss four religious architectures and the significance of their architecture in regards to the religion they belong to.... hellip; Name Course Instructor Date Religious Architectures This paper is going to discuss four religious architectures and the significance of their architecture in regards to the religion they belong to.... These include Masjid e Nabwi, the church of Santa Maria, Sistine chapel and the Old New Synagogue....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Major Values of Pre-Modern and Modern Architecture

Term Paper, architecture Introduction This paper seeks to explore and verify the hypothesis that ornamentation in the pre-modern architecture was for aesthetic values whereas the modern architecture was majorly utilitarian.... To do this, this paper will work on the basis of two texts: Pugin's” True Principles of Pointed Christian architecture” and “Improvement of Modern Systems” by Sitte.... Modern buildings still incorporate beauty of art in there structural design which is in line with the old practice of pre-modern architecture....
6 Pages (1500 words) Term Paper

Church Architecture

hellip; Normal church architecture always seems to be dominated by a round shape style.... The basic architecture of the church includes a Nave, which is the part where worshippers stand during the service.... The early church building architecture is one of the most outstanding designs ever seen in human construction history.... Normal church architecture always seems to be dominated by a round shape style.... The basic architecture of the church includes a Nave, which is the part where worshippers stand during the service....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Romanesque Architecture and Theology

In the paper “Romanesque architecture and Theology” the author analyzes the Romanesque architecture, which represented creativity in art that had detailed symbolism that was very vital to the theology.... By the end of 12th century, the Roman art of decoration and architecture had spread widely in Europe.... Jackson further explained that the church embraced the Romanesque architecture to a great deal, and the clergy afterward started to conduct schools using the arts where students could be taught the philosophy, theology, and meanings of letters mostly using the creativity of the Roman art....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Written Assignment # 3

architecture of the medieval Jewish synagogue differed from place to... The division of these designs provides a candelabrum of seven branches, the Menorah, a continuous Jewish art emblem.... The nave being the main body of the church provided the central point to the high alter which was developed out of the apse.... The Abbey church of Saint- Denis is regarded as the first known Gothic structure in which Christians were able to worship....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment

The Evolution Out of Paleo Christian and Into Imperial Christian Church Architecture

The paper "The Evolution Out of Paleo Christian and Into Imperial christian church Architecture" states that the Christian Architectural period could not be exactly calculated but many historic books say that it began approximately around the late second or at the beginning of the third century.... What we call ancient architecture as “paleo” does not have an exact historical record, but many architectures which have evolved out of this could be illustrated such as Byzantine art, Constantine architecture, etc....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Christian Church Architecture

This essay analyzes that church architecture changed a lot from its early beginnings during Constantine's rule up to the eleventh century; however, at first glance the churches still appear to have many of the same elements.... Sophia along with most of the Hippodrome in 532, Justinian ordered the rebuilding of the church that was completed in 537.... Fronted at the west end by a narthex and exonarthex, the church itself is squat and rectangular....
21 Pages (5250 words) Essay

The Cordoba's Mosque

The Mosque is one of the noblest works of the world architecture; it is a marvelous Islamic artwork found in the West.... here are arrays of columns that rise in the prayer area designed and built by the crème de la crème architects of the period; it was an unprecedented art that later influenced Islamic architecture.... After the Castilian conquest, a christian cathedral was constructed within its walls.... christian's conquest in 1236 ensured restorations of the building to Christianity and the Christians....
6 Pages (1500 words) Article
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us