Around the middle of the 19th century, an eclectic style appeared in Russia. In architecture, he expressed himself in the most contrasting way. This trend is replacing classicism. But if the past style gave the cities a regular layout, laid the foundation for the centers, then eclecticism filled the rigid structure of the neighborhoods and completed the urban ensembles.
How did the direction originate
At the dawn of the 19th century, the rapid development of capitalism throughout the country began, it was accompanied by the active construction of railways, the appearance of which revived small towns. This is exactly what happened, for example, with Chelyabinsk and Kurgan, and as for their near region of Yekaterinburg, by the end of the 19th century it had become a large railway junction. The same thing happened in other parts of the country.
Of course, all this created the prerequisites for the further development of cities, new residential and commercial buildings begin to appear. More and more shops were built. The houses that were originally created in order to lease them began to be leased to private entrepreneurs for shops. It is worth noting that this situation was only with the lower floors. As for the upper apartments, they were still intended for housing or for some small offices.
Eclectic architectural style, characteristic features
Due to the fact that the number of buildings was constantly growing, they tried to decorate as much variety as possible in order to attract attention. They did this, of course, for advertising purposes.
Eclectic-style architecture differs from its predecessors in its abundance and variety of decorative elements. This gave the creators greater freedom of action and the breadth of creative thought. Eclecticism allowed the simultaneous use of elements of various styles: Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, Byzantine, Finnish, Pseudo-Russian and so on.
Manor of Sevastyanov
One of the most prominent representatives of the eclecticism style in architecture is located in Yekaterinburg. And also this house is also one of the very first structures in this direction in the Urals. The building belonged to the proud official Sevastyanov, who built it in 1860-1863.
The cornerstone building with a round rotunda made up the basis of the house. It was made in a classic style. An interesting fact is that the image of the original image of Sevastyanov’s house has been preserved to this day, with only a few changes. Later, the architect rebuilt the building, greatly changing, and decorated the building with all possible styles.
The urban legend says that Sevastyanov was asked in what era he prefers the house. He showed several styles and said that he liked everything.
Of course, it was not possible to combine everything at once, but in a modern house everyone can see signs of various eras. That is, a person sees everything - from the classics: the remaining columns and a round rotunda with a small dome; from baroque: elite pediments above the windows of the second floor, and part only from the side of the avenue; to the Gothic style, reminiscent of the Cathedral of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Structure feature
Despite the fact that the whole building was made in different eras, the architect decided to diversify the structure a little more. All windows of the estate are different, for example, on the first floor, one size and one shape are used. On the second floor, everything is presented in a different style. And the windows of the third level are decorated differently, they are almost square.
Here is such a variety of details you can see. All this is a mixture of eras in which you can see both baroque features and classic details. And Gothic motifs give freedom to play in different styles.
Apartment building Uvarov
The era of eclecticism is when it becomes possible to build whatever you want and design buildings as you want. And at the end of the XIX century, in Russia begins the heyday of this direction.
But the cost of creating eclectic-style architecture is too much, so the most beautiful houses were only public buildings, churches and the buildings of the richest residents.
Considering the house of Uvarov, city officials, which was built in the first third of the XIX century, in the style of classicism, you can understand what changes in the appearance of cities have occurred. In the transition between styles, home cosmetics, initially, was extremely simple. Decorated at home simply and concisely. Before the advent of eclecticism, classicism was clearly regulated.
It was assumed that the buildings should have looked concise, liberties were not allowed in the facades of houses, as well as in the decoration of buildings. Therefore, the houses of ordinary citizens had mostly strict facades, with almost no architectural decor.
When the period of eclecticism woke up in architecture, each owner of the house could decorate the building the way he wants it. Now you can make the structure of such a form as the owner wants, the number of floors that he wants to use. Any decor elements that he likes, in general, you can do anything you want.
Cities flourish and acquire the individuality of individual buildings. This happens because they are built different from one another. It is such changes that happen to the Uvarovs estate.
Special buildings
Another notable building is the Zagainov house. He was a small official in the Mining Department, then left the service and began to engage in the trade of pastries in the bread market. Zagainov did not rebuild his house as ordered by fashion. But the estate was still changed, and this happened in 1872 thanks to the architect Reutov. This is one of the most famous architects of eclecticism.
This building is special. Zagainov's house is a unique variety of eclecticism, it is noticeable how much the structure differs from the previous version of the estate with the naked eye.
The architect Reutov uses a variety of stucco moldings to decorate the building, each element is very detailed and high-quality. Thanks to this vision, the house is very elegant.
From 1910 to 1916, the Zagaynov House housed the Belinsky Library, the first public library in Yekaterinburg. Belinka was founded in 1899 at the initiative of private individuals and was named in honor of the literary critic Vissarion Belinsky in 1916. From Zagainov’s house, she moved to her own building, built on Voznesensky Avenue. Despite the fact that the building was actively used, it remained in its original form.
Modern eclecticism
The interior in the style of the mixed era is very easy to do. Inspecting homes that are eclectic, you can identify certain role models.
If it comes to acceptable colors, then the best example is the Savior on Blood, which was created by the great architect Alfred Alexandrovich Parland. Despite the fact that the Russian style is at the heart of the temple, art critics find many confusions in appearance. It is the colorfulness of the Savior on Spilled Blood that attracts many tourists. And this is not surprising, because this building is an example of a perfect combination of colors.
One of the best combinations of many styles can be found in the center of Moscow - this is Lopatina’s mansion. The architect of this building was Alexander Kaminsky.
The architectural ensemble of the main facade of the building is represented by a panel of panels under the windows of the first floor, a series of archivolts on a wide frieze, piers between the windows and tiles preserved in their original form. Semicircular windows are built into the empire arcade. Columns, corners of the risalit and facade, sandriks in the form of three-part kokoshniks form the windows of the second floor. The keel-shaped kokoshniks complete the window row of the third floor. A high pyramidal roof with an openwork elevation on the ridge emphasizes the center of the house and sets the building apart from the general ensemble of the street. In a style unified with the house, the forged fence of the 19th century, preserved in its original form, was made.
Walls of multi-colored facing bricks make up the key ornament of the main facade. Two-tone ceramic inserts imitate the cross-stitch pattern. The main double doors with arched completion are located on the side of Bolshaya Nikitskaya street. The internal layout of the building is distinguished by cylindrical and sailing arches with formwork in the basement and living room on the ground floor.
Lopatina’s house stands out for the lack of stylistic unity between the exterior of the building and its eclectic interiors.
Eclectic style interior
Precisely selected muted coloristic accents on material forms. Designers managed to make friends several styles. Eclecticism is a mixture. An ordinary chandelier framing a window with a bright modern kitchen. Or black stainless steel and zebrano varnish. Or steel leather in the interior, combined with the walls of the color of a faded rose. These are all examples of eclecticism.
A beautiful complex combination with decorative plaster of slightly purple hues can also create an unforgettable combination in the Art Deco style.
One of the interesting techniques that can combine different styles is a business tone in the interior. In this case, the addition should be some kind of unusual. For example, in one famous building it was not very interesting for the architect to simply put up a wall, so he created a whole movie theater without using huge equipment. Emphasis was placed on the depth of equipment, light and backlight. It was all this that gave a different sensation from the films, and even from the very appearance of the mini-cinema.
Addition to the interior
It is believed that the birth of eclecticism was promoted, in particular, by those places where trade routes and different peoples crossed. The fusion of cultures and national traditions found expression in architecture and interior. At first, the theme of the East was popular. It was she who was traced in the decoration of many buildings. For example, oriental motifs sounded in the interior of the bedrooms and in the looking glass of the corridors leading to the living rooms. Which completed the interior in different shades, in different materials. Such trifles as, for example, a table, which is made in gold, will make the picture richer and even more stylish.
When building an eclectic-style building, you can be sure that the interior will be unique in its own way. But it is worth remembering that a game with contrasts is best suited.