Eclecticism (Historicism)

Eclecticism (also known as Historicism) combined new architectural elements with former styles to create a wide variety of possible designs. The word comes from the Greek eklektikos (“selective”), implying an artistic style allowing freedom in the choice of historical prototypes for interpretation.

The Eclectic movement was particularly widespread across the whole of Europe in the second half of the nineteenth century. Examples of Eclecticism include the Gothic Revival, Baroque Revival, Napoleon III, Queen Anne and Neo-Russian styles.

The reign of Tsar Nicholas I coincided with the age of Romanticism, when many Russian architects worked in the Gothic Revival style. Between the 1840s and 1860s, such architects as Heinrich Stackenschneider, Harald Julius von Bosse and Ludwig Bonstedt were inspired by Baroque and Rococo motifs.

In the 1860s, Tsar Alexander II emancipated the serfs and reformed many other areas of Russian life. This evoked a fresh wave of interest in Russian history in the context of European and world history.

This coincided with technological advances and the publication of new works of research on architecture and archaeology. The result was a greater knowledge of the cultures of the past, contributing to a more intricate artistic style and the flourishing of Eclecticism in Russia.

In the 1860s, Tsar Alexander II emancipated the serfs and reformed many other areas of Russian life. This evoked a fresh wave of interest in Russian history in the context of European and world history.

Technological advances and new works of research on architecture and archaeology led to greater knowledge of the cultures of the past. This contributed to a more intricate artistic style and the flourishing of Eclecticism in Russia.

The reign of Tsar Alexander III signalled a return to conservatism and nationalism, when the preservation and study of the national heritage became an important aspect of government policy. This policy was continued in the early reign of Tsar Nicholas II.

In the last third of the nineteenth century, Russian Eclectic architects employed Baroque and Rococo stylistics. Gothic elements remained popular alongside Renaissance and Neoclassical motifs.