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"By the later decades of the
nineteenth century the new technologies in iron and glass had developed
their own iconographical capacity to express notions of progress or
national ascendancy in science..." (Curtis 22) |
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The above image is a photograph of the Crystal
Palace in London, which was built in 1851. Although it is not in
France, the building employs identical architectural techniques
in its construction as buildings in Paris of this time period. The
coupling of glass and iron (sometimes steel) is remarkable; they
are two opposing construction materials (one delicate, one sturdy)
and their union is breathtaking.
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The architectural style of Paris grew with the ideals of the people living
within the city. The Renaissance tradition of architecture had lost its
appeal and the Parisians needed something to symbolize their "new
beginning." Cue: glass and iron architecture. What better way to
signify a new era than the combination of two new technologies: glass
and iron, and railways? The modernity of railroads required a new style,
and the innovations in glass and iron filled that void. (For
an image of this architectural technique used in railway construction,
click here) At the end of the nineteenth century, the combination
of glass and steel was introduced.
| "Where the patronage of architecture in
eighteenth-century Europe had relied principally on the Church, the
state, and the aristocracy, it became increasingly to rely on the
wealth and purposes of the new middle classes." (Curtis
22) |
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Joseph Paxton, Crystal
Palace, London, 1850-51
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The above image is of the Crystal Palace in London,
showing the bourgeoisie interact with the new glass and iron technology.
The dome creates not only an illusion of space, but also the feeling
that one is shopping out of doors. The glass lets natural light
in, minimizing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
The power of the steel frames allowed the panes of glass to dominate
the architecture.(Curtis 36)
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Joseph Paxton, Crystal Palace,
London, 1851, under construction
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| During the nineteenth century, the divisions between the bourgeoisie
and lower class became more apparent as the use of new technology
increased. The bourgeoisie were more affected by the technology because
they had the time and money to enjoy it. The lower classes struggled
to survive and could not afford to develop a comfortable relationship
with the new technology. Their time spent interacting with it was
mainly in unsanitary and dangerous factories. The bourgeois "monuments
to consumption and cultural display (Curtis 23)" were created
by the lower classes. Above is an image of the construction of a building
using this new technology. |
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