The Shakers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhhToNLDb4Q

"The Shaker Sisters"

"This is a short historical overview of the Shaker women and how they worked together at Hancock Shaker Village."

American Period

Around the same time (1776 and 1789), France and the US overthrew their monarchs. France and the US were allies at the beginning of the 19th century with a common distaste for England. Both the French and the Americans wanted a democracy and a design do represent it, so the Federal Style, America's version of Neoclassical, was born. Two architects stand out as the fathers of American architecture. They are Charles Bulfinch and Benjamin Latrobe. Bulfinch is responsible for the Massachusetts State Capitol Building and Latrobe for the US Capitol. Characteristics of the Federal style include: arm chairs with curved armrests and straight legs, daybeds, motifs such as lyres, harps, a crown of laurel leaves, and the American eagle. A notable craftsmen of this time was Duncan Phyfe. He was a Scotsman known for his beautiful veneers and expert carvings; he specialized in daybeds and incorporated ornamental fittings such as the metal claw foot tips on table legs. Phyfe was also known for his simplified klismos chair with its rolled back, lyre motif, and cornucopia legs. Lambert Hitchcock was also a well known craftsmen of the time. He was one of the first people to employ production line methods. He made chairs with black and gold paint, a woven cane or rush seat, and stenciled designs of fruit, leaves, arrows, flowers, and eagles. Another design style that can be taken from this period is the Shaker style. The Shakers were a group of people who believed in political and religious freedom as well as hard work and discipline. Their buildings included two entrances, two stairways, two sleeping quarters, and two dining tables; pretty much two of everything, one for men, one for women. Their interiors were sparse, clean and well ordered. They are known for their round barns built on sides of hills with entrances at different levels. They are also known for their ladder back chairs which they would hang on the walls when not in use. Because machine production started to become popular during this time, many people were experimenting with techniques. The results were inferior furniture with ridiculous proportions, details, and embellishments which were used to hide the poor construction. Craftsmen often combined many different design styles into one piece of furniture. With the emerging middle class, they wanted to show their success and comfort with the overstuffed furniture. Another design style to come out of the American Period was the Victorian style. Named after Queen Victoria, the Victorian style included large brightly colored houses, with small dark rooms. The architecture was elaborate, romantic, and emotional. The architecture was a way to show your wealth. Each small room in a Victorian house had a specific function. The home had two entrances and two staircases, one for guests and one for servants and children. The Victorian style borrowed some from the Gothic style with its tracery designs, rose window shapes, and pointed arches. A popular furniture piece of this time was a "Whatnot" which was a shelving unit used to display various collections. During this time the coil spring was invented so furniture proportions changed. Chairs were lower to the ground and had thicker, deeper seats. Victorian designers used a lot of black walnut and rosewood as well as brass and mother-of-pearl inlays, heavy draperies, and large figured wallpapers. Chairs had oval or horseshoes shaped backs that were button tufted and seats that crowned in the center. Rockers were popular as well as tables with marble tops and central pedestals. Beds were large with head and foot-boards, sofas had sweeping curves, and dark horsehair upholstery was used. John Belter was a well known furniture designer of this time. He's designs were Rococo in form using twigs, flowers and vines. His delicate fruit carvings are what set him apart from other designers. Another well known furniture designer was Charles Lock Eastlake. He wrote the "Hints on Household Taste" a book about Victorian decoration. His design concepts were easily produced on machines, with a simple construction, natural wood and jigsaw fretwork.

Classic Examples:

Duncan Phyfe chair

Hitchcock chair

Shaker chairs hung up

Shaker Barn

Victorian Interior

Victorian Whatnot

Modern Examples:

Modern Victorian Interior

Modern Victorian Exterior

Modern Shaker Kitchen

Modern Whatnot


Peer Review:
Samantha: I liked how she split up her blog into two parts, describing the different design periods and she had great pictures.
Maggie: I liked how she talked about her personal experience with shaker design.

The Tudors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDrY3huDDRI

Kings and Queens of England - Episode 3: The Tudors (History Documentary)

"In six episodes this documentary series from UKTV History covers the 41 kings and queens of England from 1066 to the present -- almost 1000 years of monarchs. It shows how the history of the UK was reflected by the history of their monarchs. This UKTV History program covers the more intimate natures of the persons behind the monarchy. It shows how those privileged few have shaped the UK and made the UK what it is today."

EPISODE 3: The Tudors (1485-1603)
King Henry VII Founder of the Tudor dynasty. King Henry VIII & his six wives. Queen Mary I - Bloody Mary. Queen Elizabeth I - The Virgin Queen

English Period

Early 1550-1660

England was the last to fall into the renaissance due to the fact it is an island. The climate of this area was temperate but wet with snow and rain. Steeply pitched roofs were used as well as protected porches and fireplaces in every room. Large windows were used to let in light and warmth. The materials available to the English were the stones of Cornwall and large oak forests. Due to their proximity to the sea, the English were accomplished boat builders and wood workers. During this time, the design periods were named after the rulers. The Early English Renaissance was the age of oak.
The Tudor design period was during the time of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary. During the Tudor time, Henry VIII and the Pope in Rome. The King became the lead of the church in England and many changes happened, like an increase in houses and land was given to the wealthy merchants and traders. Tudor Architecture is associated with timber framed construction. There was a focus on churches and official buildings.The visible sign of wealth and comfort stemmed from the fireplace. Tudor furniture was Gothic in spirit and boxlike.
The Elizabethan period lasted from 1558-1603 and was a period of great wealth. Indigo Jones was a very famous architect of the time and introduced Renaissance architecture in England. His accomplishments include the Queens house and the Tulip Staircase. He had a focus on classical proportions and Palladio design. During the Elizabethan period, houses were built in the shape of either an E, C, or H. They had gateways, long drives, and formal gardens and parks.The development of the cupboard happened during this time. Beds were large and luxurious without a foot-board. The residential homes of the time were much more simple with one room at first and more added with wealth.
The Jacobean style was named after James I and was a continuation of the Elizabethan style. Interiors included plastered ceilings and wood panels painted white. The furniture of the time had less heavy detailing but heavy carving as well as slimmed down melon-bulbs, spiral turns, and upholstery. The fireplace was the focal point of the room and rooms were adorned with carvings of garland, embroidered silks and oriental rugs.



Classic Examples

Tulip Staircase-Indigo Jones, Elizabethan

Hardwick Hall- Elizabethan

Great Bed of Ware-Elizabethan

Gateleg Table-Jacobean


Modern Examples

Modern Settle Chair-Tudor

Modern Tudor interior

Modern Cupboard

Peer Review:
Alecia: I liked how she went into lots of great detail about the time and the furniture. She had great pictures to go along with it as well
Paige P: She had a really nice summary of the time period and had really good examples.

French Art

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmrjfGWpWvs

This video talks about art from the French Baroque and Rococo Periods.

French Periods; Regency and Rococo Styles

Regency:

This period lasted from 1700-1730 and was a transition style between Louis XIV and Louis XV. King Phillippe d'Orleans ruled for 8 years in-between Louis XIV and XV. A well known painter of this time period was Jean-Antoine Watteau. The paintings of this time were happier and brighter and showed a flourishing society before the destruction of the French Revolution. The furniture of this time was less symmetrical, lighter, curvilinear, and the frame was more exposed. Their chairs were lower in seats and backs, had smaller dimensions, and the legs didn't have stretchers. The arms were padded and their supports were not an extension of the legs. The legs were in the cabriole style. Their furniture was elegant and graceful. The design was more feminine mostly due to the fact that the mistresses of the kings had a huge say in the designs of the time.

Classic Examples:

Current Applications:

Rococo:

This period lasted from 1730-1760 and was during the disastrous reign of Louis XV. Colonial struggles and war were at the forefront of this time. The French had lost Canada and India. Tax for the middle class increased and Versailles was criticized. But for the royalty the time was one of pleasure. Madame de Pompadour was Louis XV official mistress and dictated  much of the design choices around Versailles. During this time, exteriors and gardens were less important and there was a focus on comfortable living spaces. The rooms of this time were like the rooms today with the use of a library, dining rooms, etc. but the bathroom was not a part if the household. Rooms were smaller and better heated with now ceilings. There was no emphasis on horizontal lines, but an emphasis on curves. The walls were painted with light fresh colors, such as pastels, as well as white touched with gold. There was almost always a mirror over the fireplace with a low marble mantel. Parquet floors were also used as well as rococo patterned rugs. Furniture was placed on the perimeter, against the walls.

Classic examples:




Current Applications




Peer Review:
Katie K: I like how she talked about the Baroque period. She went into so good detail about it and had great pictures.
Micah: I liked how she talked about the French Renaissance as a whole and about the way the buildings of the time were structured.

Christopher Columbus

The History Channel's documentary on Christopher Columbus, 4 part series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hBJHg_DzFM

Spanish Renaissance

The 16th century was the most brilliant era in Spanish history. During this time, you can see a fusion on Christian Spain and Moorish art called Mudejar. This was the era of Ferdinand and Isabella and the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the New World. The Spanish were successful navigators and traders which resulted in fabulous amounts of gold and silver. At the start of the century they were at the height of their power and very rich, but by the end they were bankrupt. The art and architecture of this time was influenced by Early Christian, Medieval, and the Italian Renaissance. There were two schools of art in Spain at the time, The Moors, and the Christian Spanish. The Moors were the worlds finest geometricians, they were colorful and exuberant and expert wood workers. They were expelled in 1607 which was a great loss to the handicrafts and commerce of Southern Spain. Allhambra Granada was the last palace completed before the Moors were expelled. It is a fine example of Moorish architecture and decoration. The Cathedral of Seville was the largest in the world in the 15th century. It contains 80 chapels which conduct 500 masses daily. You can see a blending of Moorish and Christiain architecture as well as a Gothic/Renaissance blend. Rejas are the decorative iron grilles used in this and many on the residential and public buildings of the time. There was two main phases of design during this time, the Plateresco and the Desornamantado. The Plateresco phase, or silversmith's style is Gothic or Renaissance in it's construction. It consists on minute and delicate ornamentation. The Desornamantado phase, or unornamented, was a reaction to the Plateresco and was a powerful style and could be seen in public and government buildings. Designers used careful proportions with this style of building. The Baroque style was also developed during this time after the death of architect Juan de Herrera and his Herrera style which used classic forms, plain surfaces and sparse decoration. The Baroque style replaced this and Desornamantado with more passionate design. It included surface decoration, motifs of natural objects, and used the classical orders in nontraditional ways. The Spanish are known for their cabinetwork and their inlay work is one of their finest achievements. Their style was simple but bold with heavy proportions and crude carving. They liked repetitive designs and silver ornamentation as well as the use of wrought iron. The Sillon de Frailero, or Monk's Chair, was a walnut armchair that was simple and rectangular with a leather seat and back as well as tassel ornamentation. The Vargueno was a distinctive cabinet designed as a receptacle for valuables. The Walnut Papelera was used to store important documents. Tables had iron braces and splayed legs, beds had wood turning that resembled iron work and often no footboard.

Classic Examples:

El Escorial

Granada Cathedral

Sillon de Frailero, Monk's Chair

Modern Examples:

Peer Review:

Mackenzie: I really liked how she had lists of elements that can be seen in Spanish design with pictures to illustrate them.

Nicole: Her information was spot on and her pictures were great

Solving the Mysteries of Brunelleschi’s Dome

Solving the Mysteries of Brunelleschi’s Dome

http://www.archdaily.com/477161/video-solving-the-mysteries-of-brunelleschi-s-dome/

"A new hour long documentary for PBS’ series, Building the Great Cathedrals, explores the mystery of how, in the 15th century, Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschiconstructed one of the largest domes the world had ever seen. Winning what could be considered one of the earliest architectural competitions, Brunelleschi developed a unique system that allowed construction on the dome to occur while services were being conducted in the cathedral 100 metres below. The team in this episode model this freestanding structure in an attempt to understand just how Brunelleschi achieved such a feat of Renaissance engineering."

Italian Renaissance

Renaissance literally means rebirth. The Italian Renaissance began in Florence, Italy around 1400 and lasted until around 1600. The classical forms were from ancient Rome were refined and adapted for new uses. During this time, the idea was to furnish interiors of Gothic and Romanesque structures. There was a shift at this time, from a religious to a secular emphasis. The Roman Catholic Church had become very powerful but also corrupt. Reforms within the Church began with Martin Luther. The arts, literature and architecture were huge parts of the Italian Renaissance, and the printing press was invented which made copying books much easier. The Medici family was a very powerful and influential family of this time. Lorenzo De Medici was a businessman, banker, and patron of the arts. Everyone, rich or poor, at this time were interested in different forms of art. Residential design became popular during this time to show off the wealth of the family living there and it begins with the wealthy businessmen. Wealthy families hired long term employees, these included architects, painters, furniture designers and sculptors. There was an emphasis on horizontal and symmetrical design at this time. The Polazzo was a style of architecture of the time that included three horizontal divisions, compound windows, and a heavy projecting cornice. There was a central courtyard like the Roman Domus, no hallways, living quarters on the second and third floors, and walls with niches. The ground floor might include, shops, summer apartments, kitchen, bathrooms, and storage. There was also a grand staircase to the Piano Mobile (the main living area on the second floor). The Florence Cathedral was built by Brunelleschi in 1420-1438 and is the main cathedral in Florence; it was inspired by the Pantheon, but the dome is more of an egg shape. Burnelleschi is the first acknowledged renaissance architect. Andrea Palladio was the most influential architect of all the renaissance. He wrote the four boojs of architecture and inspired Indigo Jones as well as Thomas Jefferson. He designed the Villa Rotonda and described it as perfect.

Classic Examples:

Villa Rotonda

Florence Cathedral

Palazzo Farnese

Modern Examples:

Capitol Building

Palazzo design

Peer Review:
Haley: I liked how she talked about the emphasis on interior architecture like the ceilings and fireplaces.
Karri: I liked how in-depth her information was and he pictures were excellent 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB-8JUBAZLk

Ancient Maya : Documentary on Rise and Fall of the Mayan Empire

The Americas

The American period I will be discussing today lasted from 2000 BC to 1521 AD. The cultural structure consisted on nobles and commoners, there was hereditary leadership, a divine right, different farming techniques and sporting events. There were four main groups in the Americas at this time: the Olmecs, Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.

The Olmec period lasted from 2000 BC to 200 BC. They were the first major civilization in Mexico. Their people came to a sudden, violent, unknown end as with many of these civilizations. They were referred to as the people of the rubber country because they used rubber as a material in many things. They had a hieroglyphic style of language and developed the first calender in the western hemisphere. The jaguar was the symbol of the chief deity, as with most of these civilizations. They used a lot of jade in their art work which was very realistic. For fun they played a ballgame, that the other cultures also played, with a ball and a stone hoop. La Venta was the first example of a temple focused city. It was in a linear shape and composed of the Great Pyramid of Earth, a ball court, smaller pyramids, and giant stone heads that represented their leaders. There weighed 40-50 tons each. Food sources for these people were reliable even for commoners, and also diverse. The people also had Shamans who were believed to be in contact with gods and they would predict things from farming to rulers. The people of this time period were polytheistic and believed they became closer with their gods through bloodletting and human sacrifice. Teotihuacan was a city that lasted from 250 BC to 900 AD and was abruptly deserted. The city was laid out on a grid and had no city walls. 

The Mayans lasted from 300 BC to 1521 AD and flourished in that time. They were destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadors as with many of these cultures. They were situated in what is now Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and parts of Mexico. Chichen Itza was a ceremonial site in Mexico and lasted from 900 AD to the arrival of the Spanish. The site consists of 4 sided pyramids and a Jaguar throne.

The Aztecs lasted from 1150-1520 AD. Tenochtitlan was the center capital of the empire, it is current day Mexico City. It consists of a Pyramid of the Sun and Moon as well as floating gardens. This civilization rivaled that of Rome. The populations soared from 500,000 to over 3 million. Their raised gardening beds may have been the most productive agricultural design ever developed; they were able to get up to 7 harvests per year from a single bed. 

The Incas lasted from 1200 to 1572 CE. They were the largest empire in pre-Colombian America. The are known for their architecture and are located on the Pacific Ocean and in the mountains. The capital of the empire was Cuzco. They were masters of stone cutting and use a trapezoid shaped door. Machu Picchu is located in present day Peru in a very seismically unstable area and it is surprising it has lasted so long due to the fact that no mortar was used in its construction. It was the royal estate of the emperor Pachacuti. This site was never discovered by the Spanish and therefor not destroyed. It was discovered by a American professor in 1911. This city had fountains and pools and alters. over 200 stone structures. There is no written carvings. The Incas are known for their good roads and it is surprising how much they flourished in only their 100 years of ruling. The characteristics of this time include; isolated empires, deep connections to the metaphysical world, concept of open space and relationships to buildings, and generally ended at the hand of the Spanish. 

Classic examples

La Venta stone head

Chichen Itza

Tenochtitlan

Machu Picchu

Modern examples

Trapezoid opening 

Step Pyramid design 

Modern floating garden

Peer Review:

Jackson: I liked how she went into detail about each of the groups and had great pictures after all of them to really explain the culture.

Sammy: I liked how she went into detail about how the civilizations shared similar religious beliefs and i liked her current applications. 

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/gothic-sculpture-and-stained-glass-windows-characteristics-style.html

Gothic Sculpture and Stained Glass Windows: Characteristics & Style

Short lecture that goes into detail about Gothic style sculptures and stained-glass windows.

Gothic

The Gothic period lasted from 1140-1500 and was during the time of the Middle Ages. This period was the bridge between the Romanesque and the Renaissance. Paris was the center of the Gothic world and churches the center of city life. During this time, there was a lot of competition in the construction of cathedrals. The black plague also happened during this time, killing 75 million people, nearly 1/3 of the population of Europe. Religious expression was the heart of design during this period. The Pope and the church had immense power and wealth. Because of the larger number of worshipers, this lead to larger spaces for them in churches. There was also advances in architecture during this time, including the use of pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. The goal of a cathedral was to appear weightless with its tall walls and stained-glass windows. There were variations in the look of cathedrals in different places in Europe. English cathedrals were lower and longer, German cathedrals had larger towers, Spanish cathedrals were wider and more complex.

Classic examples
   
Norte Dame at Paris


Wells Cathedral, England

Wells Cathedral, England

Regensburg Cathedral, Germany

Barcelona Cathedral, Spain

Modern examples

Stanford Building at Duke University

Pointed arch table

Tracery

Peer review

Paige: I liked how she went into some history of Abbot Suger, including his death, also how she went into detail about the entry ways. Her pictures were spot on as well.

Alecia: I liked how she went into further detail about each part of the Gothic cathedrals that made them unique and her pictures really helped illustrate her points.