Still far from providing a comprehensive picture of the architectural variety and creativity of t... more Still far from providing a comprehensive picture of the architectural variety and creativity of the nineteenth century Wallachia, specialist works have mainly concentrated on buildings dating from the last quarter of the nineteenth century, subsequent to the coronation of Carol I. The case of Arnota Monastery, in Vâlcea County, is interesting and important firstly because the alterations led by “monastic architect” Johann Schlatter to this complex during the nineteenth century inaugurated the autonomous programme of prison architecture in Wallachia, and, secondly, they illustrate, among numerous other examples still preserved, the beginnings of modern practices of restoring old architecture. At the same time, the recent reconstruction and extension work undertaken at the monastery brings to light contemporary issues connected with the lack of understanding of the conservation and restoration of a heritage still little valued.
André-Emile Lecomte du Noüy’s name occurs frequently in the Romanian architectural historiography... more André-Emile Lecomte du Noüy’s name occurs frequently in the Romanian architectural historiography, becoming famous for his involvement in the restoration or reconstruction works for some of the most representative Romanian medieval monuments, as well as in new projects. Despite the large number of controversies generated by his work - most of which was conducted under the patronage of King Carol I – and the abundant documentary evidence available, one century after his death Lecomte du Noüy continues to be a controversial character. His work also remains just as controversial, so much discussed upon but still lacking a comprehensive and thorough study, based on the preserved primary sources rather than on the large number of opinions or interpretations, often jaundiced, mainly focused on his restoration and reconstruction works. Suspected of having purloined some heritage values, criticised for his artistic ambitions for the sake of which he overrode invaluable monuments of the Romanian medieval history, Lecomte du Noüy enjoyed however the appraisal of some of the most prominent personalities of the time; the study of his activity is thus a requisite for completing the perspective of a history upon which the 19th century left a deep and often beneficial footprint. Lecomte du Noüy’s drawings, surveys and plans of the projects or photographs, selectively published in articles or synthesis papers, continue to be a very valuable material, from at least three points of view: for documenting some of the most important old Romanian architectural works, for understanding the inception of modern restoration practices at the turn of the 20th century and, last but not least, for the role that his reconstruction works played in the modern development of Romanian Orthodox religious architecture.
Eighteenth-and nineteenth-century classicism in England: John Soane's language and imagination Yu... more Eighteenth-and nineteenth-century classicism in England: John Soane's language and imagination Yue Zhuang PART II Classical influences through colonialism, political ideology and religious conversion 10 Honour and the classical tradition in architecture:The matter of slavery 151 Charles Burroughs 11 Dismemberment of the orders and their reassembly across Portuguese overseas settlements Pedro Guedes 12 The reception and involution of classical architecture by Jesuit missions in China (1583-1759) Xiao]ing 13 The gods that came from the sea:The classical tradition in New Spain Santiago de Orduiia 14 Indo-Portuguese architecture in Kerala during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries 213 Helder Carita 15 Neo-classical architecture in the Straits Settlements: Singapore's civic square (1819-1936) 225
sITA – studii de Istoria şi Teoria Arhitecturii, 2014
Despite the inherent difficulties associated with the beginning of the institutionalisation of ar... more Despite the inherent difficulties associated with the beginning of the institutionalisation of architectural practice in Romanian Principalities, the first forms of a controlled organisation of construction activities took shape after the adoption of Organic Regulations (1831-1832). The “state architect” and “town architect” positions, the modernisation will of the elites and particularly the large number of foreign architects (mostly not recorded by the specialised historiography), brought a decisive contribution to the progress towards Romanian architectural modernity. With administrative duties, being mostly in charge with the bureaucracy and the control of constructions, by taking over public orders or by free practice, some of these foreign architects had a consistent contribution to the aesthetic modernisation of architecture and its associated practice. The activity of “state architects” and “town architects” in the period following the implementation of the Organic Regulations in the two Principalities is a subject still insufficiently studied. This paper attempts to outline an overall picture based on the research of a small share of the rich documentary materials from archives and other secondary bibliographic sources; however the subject matter remains of course open to further detailing and refining.
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Papers by Horia Moldovan