VI.

Comparative Analysis

Renaissance architecture, which originated in Europe in the late 14th century and
peaked in the 15th and 16th centuries, is a distinct architectural design. This movement
represented a notable deviation from the Gothic style that had prevailed in the preceding era.
Renaissance means “rebirth” or “revival” since it reintroduced the classical architectural
principles of ancient Rome and Greece. The Renaissance has different periods of
development in Europe: the Italian Renaissance, the French Renaissance, the Spanish
Renaissance, the German Renaissance, and the English Renaissance.

During the Italian Renaissance, the architectural styles of Renaissance structures were
classical orders and components, including pilasters, columns, domes, entablatures, arches,
and pediments. The writings of Vitruvius also had an impact on the Renaissance conception
of architectural enticement (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2002). Courtyards and loggias
were common features, showcasing a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
It was evident that the features of the Italian Renaissance were heavily rooted in classical
antiquity. In the High Renaissance period of Italy, they deviated from the strict classical
harmony and proportions that had characterized High Renaissance buildings. In the French
Renaissance, the architectural style was dominated by a blend of Gothic and Renaissance
elements, resulting in a unique style known as "Francis I style" (Partridge, 2020). Roofs were
often steeply pitched, with a more pronounced use of dormers. Turrets, pinnacles, and
decorative chimneys were common features, and sculptures and reliefs often depicted French
monarchs and religious themes. Similar to the architectural style of the Italian Renaissance,
French Renaissance structures frequently incorporated inner courtyards that were enclosed by
arcades and loggias, thereby establishing a seamless flow from the interior to the exterior.

The broader Renaissance movement had an impact on Renaissance architecture in

Spain and Portugal, just like it did in other parts of Europe. This period was influenced by
two civilizations, the Muslim and the Christian. Similar to the Italian Renaissance, they also
use small windows due to the climatic influence. When it comes to the style of roofs, they are
different from the other periods since they use flat roofs. Plateresque architecture was a
significant Spanish Renaissance style. It is characterised by intricate and ornate facades, often
adorned with detailed stonework and decorative motifs (The Artistic Adventure of Mankind,
2022). The Late Period of the Spanish Renaissance broke away from the traditional classical
forms and started to incorporate the Baroque style that was introduced by Jose de Churrigue.
It started the “Churrigueresque,” a Spanish Baroque style of elaborate sculptural architectural
ornament that emerged as a stucco decoration style in the late 17th century and was used until
about 1750. It is characterized by extreme, expressive, and florid decorative detailing, usually
found above the entrance on the main facade of a building. Renaissance architecture in
Britain represents a period of transition and adaptation, as it incorporated classical influences
into the existing Tudor and Elizabethan architectural traditions (Landow, 2017). The Early
English Renaissance Period had two phases: Elizabethan architecture and Jacobean
architecture. The Elizabethan architecture shows the transition style of Gothic and
Renaissance architecture; it focuses more on the exterior decorations. Compared to other
periods, it is more similar to French architecture since it uses the same features like large
windows, towers, parapets, balustrades, and chimneystacks. The later phase of the
Renaissance period in Britain saw the emergence of Jacobean architecture, marked by a
transition from the more ornate Elizabethan style to a more austere, geometric approach. The
Late English Renaissance Period was divided into two divisions: Stuart architecture and
Georgian architecture. The Stuart architecture was influenced by both the Italian and French
Renaissances, while the Georgian architecture adopted the Greek and Roman architectural
styles. In Georgian architecture, the portico style started with the colonnaded porch or
entrance to a structure, or a covered walkway supported by regularly spaced columns.

The German Renaissance encompassed a vibrant and diverse cultural phenomenon

that integrated aspects of the Italian Renaissance while also incorporating distinctive
advancements, particularly within the framework of the Reformation and the Print
Revolution. A synthesis of Gothic and Renaissance characteristics resulted from the
preservation of northern Gothic elements in German Renaissance architecture. This is
particularly evident in the window and vault tracery and pointed arches that are employed
(Roy, 2020). The structure of many German Renaissance churches was centered on a
centralized central area, employing a central plan. A lot of buildings in Germany during the
Renaissance, especially townhouses, had tall towers and highly pitched roofs. Towers were
frequently employed for the purpose of surveillance or as indicators of social standing. The
Russian Renaissance, which had limited direct contact with the Italian Renaissance and was
firmly rooted in the Orthodox Christian tradition, was a cultural and artistic movement that
was distinctive. Particularly in the fields of religious art and architecture, it was distinctive for
its unique fusion of emerging Renaissance elements and traditional Russian aesthetics
(Ivanova, 2014). Like the German Renaissance, brick was one of its main materials, resulting
in brick walls as its characteristic feature. The interiors were adorned with opulent and
dazzling chandeliers and marbles reminiscent of the English Renaissance. Lastly, the
Renaissance in Belgium and the Netherlands reflects the region's unique blend of Northern
European Gothic traditions with emerging Renaissance styles from Italy. It resulted in a rich
architectural heritage characterized by decorative facades, stepped gables, and the fusion of
classical and regional architectural elements. Like other low-income countries, the
Netherlands often featured brick and stone facades. The use of these materials allowed for
decorative detailing and ornamentation. Classical architectural elements like columns,
pilasters, and pediments were introduced into Renaissance architecture, but they were often
used in conjunction with traditional Gothic forms.

In summary, Renaissance architecture in different periods had varying styles that

influenced the succeeding period. One of the architectural features that is common to every
period is the inclusion of a courtyard in their design. This space served both functional and
aesthetic purposes and created a transition between public and private spaces. They utilize
different classical elements, but the most prominent elements are the columns, round arches,
and details. Some periods also incorporate distinct styles like the Plateresque style,
Manueline style, Portico style, etc. Most of the period focuses on designing that emphasizes
symmetry, proportion, and balance. The cultural and creative trends of the time had a
significant influence on the development of Renaissance architecture, which in turn had a
long-lasting effect on the design of structures not just in Europe but also in other parts of the
world.

References:

Ivanova, V. (2014, June). Russian Architecture of the 16th Century. Retrieved from Russia-IC:
http://russia-ic.com/
Landow, G. P. (2017, July). The Renaissance in England. Retrieved from The Victorian Web:
https://victorianweb.org/

Partridge, M. (2020, March). Renaissance Architecture in France. Retrieved from The French Desk:
https://thefrenchroomhome.wordpress.com/

Roy, D. (2020, October). German Architecture: facts and characteristics. Retrieved from BuiltArchi.

The Artistic Adventure of Mankind. (2022, July). THE RENAISSANCE IN SPAIN. Retrieved from The
Artistic Adventure of Mankind: https://arsartisticadventureofmankind.wordpress.com/

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2002, October). Architecture in Renaissance Italy. Retrieved from
The Met: https://www.metmuseum.org/