IMPORTANT Website terms of use and cookie statement

Neoclassical

Neoclassicism in architecture

A revival style that looks back to the Classical past and the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, but unlike the re-interpretation of classical forms seen in the Renaissance, this was a much more academic approach.

It began in France from the mid-18th century, with writers and architects theorising over the supremacy of ancient Greece versus ancient Rome, following the rediscovery of the Parthenon and the excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii. For example, artists Charles-Nicholas Cochin and Jerome-Charles Bellicard published their, ‘Observations sur les antiquities de la ville d’Herculaneum’ from 1753. The same year Abbé Marc-Antoine Laugier, a French Jesuit published his, ‘Essai sur L’Architecture,’ which set out to define Classicism as a logical need for shelter, illustrating his interpretation of the origin of the stone temple as a ‘Primitive Hut,’ formed out of tree trunks and branches fashioned into columns supporting a triangular shaped roof. In 1762 architects James Stuart and Nicholas Revett, published their ‘Antiquities of Athens,’ which was hugely influential in promoting Neoclassicism in England.

It marked a return to simplicity and an architecture of pure geometrical form, favouring, clarity, proportion, and symmetry. The correct use of the orders from the ancient world, i.e. Doric, Ionic and Corinthian as structural rather than decorative was also encouraged. Characterised by severity of appearance and solidity, Neoclassicism dominated much of European and American architecture, until the emergence of the Gothic Revival from the late 1830s.

Explore images of Neoclassical architecture

Search and discover photos and images from the RIBA Collections in our image library. Images are available to download, purchase or license.

Features of Neoclassical architecture

  

Coloured photograph of Dulwich Picture Gallery, a neoclassical brick building with white trim and a small domed tower, surrounded by grass

Purity of form

Black and white photograph of the General Post Office in Dublin, a multi-storey stone building with neoclassical columned front and triangular feature on a flat roof

Use of orders

Coloured photograph of a central building with neoclassical columns and two shorter side buildings with gable roof, grass and a long white path in the foreground

Symmetry and proportion

Sepia photograph  of l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris - a large rectangular base with flat top and tall arch through the middle

References to Classical architecture

keyboard_arrow_up To top