The beginning of the 19th century is characterized by the emergence in France of an architectural and interior design called empire. The so-called imperial style is distinguished by luxury and solemnity, designed to emphasize the greatness of the emperor Napoleon. An organic combination of Roman antiquity, Egyptian motifs, architectural monumentality of the interiors, an abundance of gilding and bright colors in the decoration allowed the French Empire to exist for a fairly long historical period and, with some changes, be adopted by both the Russian imperial court and bourgeois Germany. Photos of interiors of the 19th century allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury of ballrooms, living rooms, boudoirs of that time.
Characteristic features of the style
Empire style as an architectural and interior style was born in the early 19th century with the light hand of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was called to emphasize the greatness of the emperor, combining solemnity, luxury and severity.
The basis of the empire is Roman antiquity with its monumental arches, columns, caryatids. The architecture and interiors of the 19th century in the imperial style are distinguished by monumentality, integrity and symmetry.
The decoration used mahogany, marble, bronze and gilding. The walls were decorated with paintings of antique scenes, bas-reliefs. Plaster stucco molding was used on the ceiling.
The interiors of the 19th century in the Empire style are designed in rich colors: blue, red, green, turquoise, white. They blend well with an abundance of gilding and ornate decor. Often used and pastel shades: milk, beige, lavender, pale blue, pistachio, mint.
Monumental mahogany furniture with decorative lining made of bronze or gilded carving complemented the decoration. Animal motifs in furniture were popular: legs in the form of paws, armrests with the heads of lions. Napoleon’s trip to Egypt provoked a fashion for authentic attributes, which subsequently influenced the French Empire, organically flowing into the interior along with antique motifs. No less popular was the military theme: paintings with battle scenes, weapons.
Walls
The walls in the interior of the 19th century imperial style were painted with antique plots and exotic landscapes. Often there were bas-reliefs. Wallpaper was rarely used, mainly with a pattern in the form of monograms or a strict strip. In the bedrooms and boudoirs, the walls were draped with textiles decorated with acanthus in Roman style. The color scheme was dominated by bright shades: red, blue, green, as well as white. They are wonderful combined with an abundance of gilding, emphasizing the grandeur and the sameness of the situation.
A characteristic feature of the empire are the columns, false columns and stucco molding in the decoration of the walls. The columns were made of marble, malachite and other ornamental stones, the stucco was covered with gilding. Huge mirrors - an integral attribute of the interior of the 19th century. They were actively used in decoration, complemented by ornate gilded frames.
Ceiling
Empire style ceilings are always high, domed or straight. The main color is white. They decorated the ceiling with paintings and grisaille. It is difficult to imagine the interior of the 19th century in imperial style without stucco molding. Plaster sockets, cornices, moldings and other decorations were used everywhere. Often the stucco was covered with gilding. The strict centralization of composition and the symmetry characteristic of the Roman style is also clearly visible in the Empire style. The center of the ceiling was necessarily decorated with patterns and complemented by a magnificent pendant chandelier. Gilding and crystal harmoniously emphasized the solemn luxury of the interior.
Imperial lighting plays an important role. With a large area of the room, several large symmetrically located chandeliers were often installed. In addition to them, in the room there were wall and table candelabra. Numerous lights, reflected in mirrors and gilding, created a unique atmosphere of solemnity and grandeur.
Furniture
In the interior of a 19th-century house, furniture was monumental, like a work of architectural art. Used exclusively architectural elements such as columns, cornices, caryatids. Worktops were often made from a single piece of marble or malachite. Sofas, armchairs, couches were smooth ergonomic shapes.
Widely used mahogany. The furniture was decorated with bronze covers, gilded carvings, animal legs and armrests stylized as animals. Animal motifs are clearly visible in the imperial style: the heads and paws of lions, eagle wings, snakes. Mythical creatures were also popular: griffins, sphinxes. Upholstery of couches, chairs, armchairs in French Empire is predominantly plain, made in marble or leather. Round tables on one leg, sideboards for dishes and fashionable trinkets, a secretary with a shelf for books appeared in the interiors.
Decor
The decor of the 19th century is dominated by ancient Roman and Egyptian motifs - columns, friezes, pilasters, ornament with acanthus leaves, sphinxes, pyramids. The era of the Napoleonic Wars could not but affect the interior. Widely used images of weapons: sabers, shields, arrows, guns, cores. Decorators of that time could not ignore the laurel wreath as a symbol of greatness. It is found everywhere.
The interior is replete with plaster statues, paintings and huge mirrors in massive gilded frames. Complex draperies on windows and walls are a characteristic feature of Empire style. The beds were decorated with canopies. The entire decor in the interior of the imperial style is carefully verified, and the same images can be found in the decor of furniture, walls, accessories and even books.
Russian Empire
Russian interior of the 19th century took a lot from the French Empire, reworked and softened. Instead of mahogany and bronze lining on the furniture used Karelian birch, ash, maple. Furniture was decorated with gilded carvings. The creatures of Egyptian mythology were successfully replaced by Slavic ones. Unlike the French Empire, which elevates primarily the personality of the emperor, the Russian paid more attention to the greatness of state power. Marble was replaced with Ural malachite, lapis lazuli and other ornamental stones.
The Russian Empire has gradually divided into two areas: the capital and the provincial. The capital was more like French, but was softer and more plastic. An undoubted contribution to the development of style was made by the Italian Karl Rossi. The provincial version of the Russian Empire was even more restrained, close to classicism.
Empire - a bright and majestic style in the architecture and interior of the 19th century. The splendor and identity of the interiors was designed to emphasize the greatness of the emperor. The characteristic features of the imperial style are centered composition, bright colors, an abundance of gilding, stucco molding, huge mirrors, antique, Egyptian, animal and military motifs.
There are possibilities to use the style of the 19th century in modern interior design. Designers can implement such a project using modern materials and stylized objects. Luxurious Empire style can decorate any apartment, it would be a desire and opportunity.