Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival also known as Victorian Gothic or Neo Gothic, one of the most influential styles of the 19th century. A very wild range of religious, civic and domestic buildings were built in the Gothic Revival era. It began in 1740s  in England. It came popular in the 19th Century. 

The Architectural elements in the Gothic buildings of the 12th to 16th centuries were the most part of inspiration to 19th century designs : such as pointed arches, steep sloping roofs and decorative / ornamental patterns were added to the Gothic Revival objects such as building, furniture ext….

In the mid 19th century people were fascinated for historical costume, fancy dress events and parities were extremely popular at that time.

In Malta we have a cemetery influenced by Gothic Revival which is Santa Maria Addolorata (“Our Lady of Sorrows”). This was built in 1862-69 by an architect Emanuel Galizia in 1830-1906.

John Ruskin

John Ruskin (1819-1900)  was an art critic of his day. He travelled to Europe with a good interest in Medieval architecture, which he made water colours detailed studies. He was interested in decoration and colour of buildings. He wanted to return the spiritual values of the Middle Ages which he had lost in the mechanised and materialistic that he was living. Two imported books by John Ruskin were “The Seven Lamps of Architecture” (1849) and “The stones of Venice” 3 volumes (1851-1853) that they had an impact on the Gothic Revival. 

Owen Jones

Owen Jones (1809 - 1874) is the son of a Welsh antiquary, was an architect and interior designer. He studied with the architect Lewis Vulliamy (1791-1871). He went to Royal Academy School. After a tour in Europe sketching and painting the Alhambra, the Moorish palace at Granada, his attempts to get these lithographed led him to set up a printing establishment.

Jones is know for his master piece of his Grammar of Ornament (1856). Although he specialised as a colour printer in the illuminated gift book. 

“Owen Jones worked for Thomas De La Rue.  Owen  designed 173 playing cards varying from fruit and flower themes to Chinese and Arabesque.”

Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co

Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co (1861-1875) and its successor was Morris & Co (1875-1940) were furnishing and decorative arts manufacturing  and realities founded by the Pre-Raphaelites artists and designer William Morris. They gave aesthetic and respect for the hand-craftsmanship and traditional textiles arts in the early 20th century.

Aubrey Beardsley 

Aubrey Beardsley born August 21 1872 Brighton, Sussex England lived March 16 1898, Menton France. Beardsley had a strong interest for drawing in his early childhood. He practiced his drawing while working as a clerk. He meet with Edward - Burne Jones in 1891 and promoted him to attend evening classes at the Westminister School of Art for a few months, his only professional instruction. He was inspired from the elegant curvilinear style of Art Nouveau and the design found in Japanese wood cuts. 

(The peacock skirt)

He took his inspiration from Japanese prints and Art Nouveau´s whiplash.

Referencing :

Victoria and Albert Museum, 2013. Gothic Revival. [ONLINE] Available at: <http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/style-guide-gothic-revival/>. [Accessed 09 November 13].

The Victorian Web. 2011. The Addolorata Chapel and Cemetery, Paolo, Malta, by Emmanuel Luigi Galizia. [ONLINE] Available at: <http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/galizia/5.html>. [Accessed 09 November 13].

Monogon Company Limited . 1996. The World of Playing Cards. [ONLINE] Available at: <http://www.wopc.co.uk/uk/owenjones.html>. [Accessed 09 November 13].

Encyclopaedia Britannica . 2013. Encyclopaedia Britannica . [ONLINE] Available at: <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/57391/Aubrey-Beardsley>. [Accessed 09 November 13].