Neoclassical Architecture
Europe, North America, and Throughout the World
(mid-18th to the early 20th centuries)
Building types:
Government (state capitol buildings, courthouses, post offices)
Churches
Institutions (museums, libraries, colleges)
Commercial buildings (banks)
Residential buildings
Features/elements/characteristics:
Greek order columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian)
Columns with other designs
Building types:
Government (state capitol buildings, courthouses, post offices)
Churches
Institutions (museums, libraries, colleges)
Commercial buildings (banks)
Residential buildings
Features/elements/characteristics:
Greek order columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian)
Columns with other designs
Pilasters with Greek or Roman capitals
Pediment(s)
Entablature (cornice, frieze, architrave)
Dome
Round (semicircular) arches
Symmetrical layout
Other, more elaborate decorations (especially Beaux Arts buildings):
Acroterion, dentils, ballusters
Pediment(s)
Entablature (cornice, frieze, architrave)
Dome
Round (semicircular) arches
Symmetrical layout
Other, more elaborate decorations (especially Beaux Arts buildings):
Acroterion, dentils, ballusters
The Neoclassical architectural style can be specifically placed into a period between the mid-1700s and early 1800s. More generally speaking, variations of the Neoclassical style span several decades from the mid-1700s to the early 1900s. Depending on the more specific time period and place, the overall layout of the structure, the predominant architectural features, and the amount of decoration, a building could be labeled as Greek Revival, Classical Revival, Renaissance Revival, Palladian Revival, Beaux Arts, or a similar term. Beaux Arts architecture was developed by architects who studied at or were influenced by the Ecole des Beaux Arts (School of Fine Arts) in Paris; influenced by Classical architecture, Beaux Arts buildings sometimes have Gothic or Baroque elements and often have considerable ornamentation. Other specific styles influenced by Classical architecture during this time period include Adamesque, Georgian, Federal, and Second Empire.
As you look at the structures below, ask yourself some important questions:
For what purpose does the structure appear to be built?
What materials appear to be used for the structure?
What Classical elements do you notice on the structure?
What unique decisions did the architects make as they designed the structure?
As you look at the structures below, ask yourself some important questions:
For what purpose does the structure appear to be built?
What materials appear to be used for the structure?
What Classical elements do you notice on the structure?
What unique decisions did the architects make as they designed the structure?
Neoclassical Architecture in Europe
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| National Library of Russia. Photo by Alexander Savin. Copyleft Attitude License. Resized. |
The National Library of Russia Building. Started in 1796.
Neoclassical building in St. Petersburg, Russia.
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| Kazan Cathedral. Photo by Hadi Karimi. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized. |
Kazan Cathedral or Kazanskiy Kafedralniy Sobor. 1801-1811.
Neoclassical building in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Arco della Pace. 1807-1838.
In Milan, Italy. Meaning "Arch of Peace," this triumphal arch was designed by Luigi Cagnola and its construction was started during the reign the French emperor, Napoleon. After Napoleon lost control of Italy in 1814, construction stopped. In 1826, Cagnola returned to its construction under the reign of the Austrian emperor, Francis II, who dedicated the arch to the 1815 Congress of Vienna. The arch was completed five years after Cagnola's death.
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| Arco della Pace. Photo by Jakub Halun. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized. |
Arco della Pace. 1807-1838.
In Milan, Italy. Meaning "Arch of Peace," this triumphal arch was designed by Luigi Cagnola and its construction was started during the reign the French emperor, Napoleon. After Napoleon lost control of Italy in 1814, construction stopped. In 1826, Cagnola returned to its construction under the reign of the Austrian emperor, Francis II, who dedicated the arch to the 1815 Congress of Vienna. The arch was completed five years after Cagnola's death.
Watch this video to see this triumphal arch up close.
What Classical details do you notice? How does it compare to the triumphal arches of Septimius Severus and Constantine?
Georgian Architecture
Georgian houses in Dublin, Ireland. 18th century.
A colorful door from a Georgian house in Dublin.
The Georgian houses look very much alike, so residents choose different colors and different handles and knockers for their doors in order to make them more unique.
Neoclassical Architecture in the United States
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| The White House. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2016. |
The White House. 1792-1800; reconstruction after War of 1812 fire; additions in 1824, 1829, and later.
Palladian style.
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| St. Joseph Cathedral in Bardstown, KY. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2016. |
St. Joseph Cathedral. 1816-23.
In Bardstown, Kentucky, this was the first Catholic Cathedral built west of the Appalachian Mountains. It was designed in the Greek Revival style that was popular in the United States in the first few decades of the 19th century.
Carnegie Hall. 1891.
Located in New York City, Carnegie Hall is built with Roman bricks which are thinner than Modern bricks. We could call this building an example of Beaux Arts Neoclassical or Renaissance Revival architecture.
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| Washington Square Arch. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
Washington Square Arch. 1892-95.
This triumphal arch is in Washington Square Park in New York City.
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| Benton County National Bank. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
Benton County National Bank Building. 1906.
Located in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.
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| Lincoln Memorial. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2016. |
Lincoln Memorial. 1914-22.
Greek Revival structure in Washington, D.C.
What do you notice about the columns and the entablature? What Greek Order do these features seem to indicate?
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| Soldier Field Neoclassical Detail. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Soldier Field. 1922-24.
The stadium was renovated in 2002 and 2003.
Jefferson Memorial. 1939-43.
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| Jefferson Memorial. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2016. |
Jefferson Memorial. 1939-43.
Beaux Arts Neoclassical Architecture in the United States
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| Marble House. Photo by Daderot. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized. |
Marble House. 1888-1892.
Marble House is a Beaux Arts Neoclassical building in Newport, Rhode Island. The architect was Richard Morris Hunt, the first American to attend the Ecole des Beaux Arts (School of Fine Arts) in Paris.
The Dorilton. 1900-02.
In New York City.
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. 1902-07.
In New York City. Designed by Cass Gilbert.
New York Public Library. 1911.
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| The Dorilton. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
The Dorilton. 1900-02.
In New York City.
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| Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House. 1902-07.
In New York City. Designed by Cass Gilbert.
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| New York Public Library. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
New York Public Library. 1911.
Neoclassical Architecture in Kansas and Nebraska
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| Kansas State Capitol Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Kansas State Capitol Building. 1866-1903.
Designed in the later French Renaissance style which drew greatly from Classical architecture. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
What Classical features do you notice on this capitol building?
Frankfort School Building. 1902-03.
Located in Frankfort, Kansas, and built in a Renaissance Revival style. The architect was A. W. Snodgrass. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
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| Frankfort School Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Frankfort School Building. 1902-03.
Located in Frankfort, Kansas, and built in a Renaissance Revival style. The architect was A. W. Snodgrass. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
Carnegie Library (entrance) at Hastings College. 1906.
Built as a library building for Hastings College, this structure also housed the science department for several years. In later decades, more building space was added to the back.
Fairbury Carnegie Library Building. 1908-09.
Located in Fairbury, Nebraska.
Webster County Historical Museum. 1909.
A mansion in Red Cloud, Nebraska, built in a Classical Revival style, this building is home to the Webster County Historical Museum.
Osborne Carnegie Library. c. 1913.
In Osborne, Kansas. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
Masonic Grand Lodge Building. 1916.
In Topeka, Kansas. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
Auld Public Library. 1917-18.
Designed by Ferdinand C. Fiske and Harry Meginnis, the Auld Public Library building in Red Cloud, Nebraska, was planned in a Classical Revival style much like Carnegie libraries. In Fact, Fiske and Meginnis designed Carnegie libraries in the area. Auld was a local banker who donated $20,000 to the city to construct a public library with the stipulation that the city fund its maintenance – this was essentially the same arrangement that Carnegie made with towns for his library donations. You can view the National Register of Historic Places registration form for the library here.
Smith County Courthouse. 1918-20.
In Smith Center, Kansas. Designed by Thomas W. Williamson.
Smith County State Bank. 1923.
In Smith Center, Kansas.
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| Fairbury Carnegie Library. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Fairbury Carnegie Library Building. 1908-09.
Located in Fairbury, Nebraska.
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| Webster County Historical Museum. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Webster County Historical Museum. 1909.
A mansion in Red Cloud, Nebraska, built in a Classical Revival style, this building is home to the Webster County Historical Museum.
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| Osborne Carnegie Library. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Osborne Carnegie Library. c. 1913.
In Osborne, Kansas. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
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| Masonic Grand Lodge Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Masonic Grand Lodge Building. 1916.
In Topeka, Kansas. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
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| Auld Public Library. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Auld Public Library. 1917-18.
Designed by Ferdinand C. Fiske and Harry Meginnis, the Auld Public Library building in Red Cloud, Nebraska, was planned in a Classical Revival style much like Carnegie libraries. In Fact, Fiske and Meginnis designed Carnegie libraries in the area. Auld was a local banker who donated $20,000 to the city to construct a public library with the stipulation that the city fund its maintenance – this was essentially the same arrangement that Carnegie made with towns for his library donations. You can view the National Register of Historic Places registration form for the library here.
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| Smith County Courthouse. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Smith County Courthouse. 1918-20.
In Smith Center, Kansas. Designed by Thomas W. Williamson.
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| Smith County State Bank in Smith Center, KS. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2016. |
Smith County State Bank. 1923.
In Smith Center, Kansas.
French Memorial Chapel. 1950.
Constructed on the campus of Hastings College, the overall design is reminiscent of St. Joseph Cathedral (minus the front portico) and many other Neoclassical churches throughout the United States. Instead of columns, the facade has Corinthian pilasters.
Beaux Arts Neoclassical Architecture in Kansas and Nebraska
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| Lawrence City Carnegie Library. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Lawrence City Carnegie Library. 1904.
In Lawrence, Kansas. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
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| Aetna Building in Topeka, KS. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Aetna Building. 1909.
In Topeka, Kansas.
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| Fairbury Post Office Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Fairbury Post Office Building. 1911.
Located in Fairbury, Nebraska.
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| Wichita City Library Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Wichita City Library Building. 1915.
In Wichita, Kansas, this Beaux Arts building was designed as a Carnegie Library by Anthony A. Crowell. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
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| Clay County Courthouse in Clay Center, NE. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Clay County Courthouse. 1917-19.
In Clay Center, Nebraska. Designed by William F. Gernandt.
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| Central National Bank in Topeka, KS. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Central National Bank Building. 1927.
In Topeka, Kansas, designed by Thomas and William Wight, the architects who also designed the original Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, among other buildings. You can see the building's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
Sources for more information:
An article on the Beaux Arts style with examples in Louisiana from the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation prepared by Jonathan and Donna Fricker.
An article on balusters, which were a Renaissance creation found on many Neoclassical buildings.
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses: The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America’s Domestic Architecture. Revised edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2015. This is the second edition of a classic book on American architecture with hundreds of drawings and photographs.
Sachs, David H. and George Ehrlich. Guide to Kansas Architecture. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996.
