Sunday, July 11, 2010

H. H. Richardson as a Design Inspiration

 The works of H.H. Richarson are a beautiful synthesis of romantic and historic stylistic precedents which became increasingly well adapted to American needs and building types over the course of his career. Having studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris (only the 2nd American to formally train in Architecture at the school), he brought an eclectic eye and broad range of ideas to the rapidly developing American cultural scene in the late 19th Century. There were old world histoic influences as interpreted through the lens of a Beaux Arts sensibility, but there were more contemporary strains of thought brewing in Europe at the time he studied there. These also seem to have had an influence on him, and once back in the U.S. he  produced an easily identifiable and highly acclaimed body of work. In fact, during his years of active practice between 1868 and 1889 his work became so well known as to become the standard for a new style known as 'Richardsonian Romenesque'. This was one among many important contributions he made to the face of American Architecture.
 
 
 

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