The Renaissance Period

The Renaissance or 'rebirth' that started in Europe in the early 14th century and continued till the 16th century saw an unprecedented proliferation of the arts in all fields of design and creativity. There was a conscious revival and development of various elements of Classical Greek and Roman architecture. Filippo Brunelleschi, a citizen of Florence, is widely regarded as one of the harbingers of this movement.

In the Renaissance style, due emphasis was placed on regularity, symmetry and proportions to come up with a visually appealing geometry. Orderly arrangement of building elements like columns, pilasters and lintels, and the use of semi-circular arches and spherical domes led to a form of Architecture that was appealing in nature yet removed from the complexities and ornamentation of Gothic structures or the bulkiness of the Romanesque era before that. The focus was on harmony and beauty resulting from the application of specific rules and proportions. There was also a significant change in the purposes of the buildings that were built. Sporting facilities and Public Baths were now replaced with churches, public buildings like hospitals and libraries, plazas and even residences of wealthy merchants. Some of the leading architects of this period were Filippo Brunelleschi, Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Leon Battista Alberti and Andrea Palladio.

Buildings were square and symmetrical in plan with proportions based on a module. The resultant façades were also symmetrical, surmounted by a pediment in churches and often with a cornice in residences. Roman and Greek orders were used together with arches, vaults and domes as a part of the structural system. Brick walls were clad with finished ashlar.

This period also saw the printing of architectural books like De re aedificatoria (On the Subject of Building) by Alberti in 1450, Regole generali d'architettura (General Rules of Architecture) by Sebastiano Serlio in 1537, and most importantly, I quattro libri dell'architettura (The Four Books of Architecture) by Palladio in 1570. Palladio's book was widely published and played a major role in spreading the ideas of the Renaissance through Europe as well as in the United States much later.

Architecture that developed during the Renaissance period was in response to the ornamentation of the Gothic period and honored classical values like symmetry, balance, and order. However, in the Baroque period, an off-shoot that followed the Renaissance, focus was more on design and ornamentation rather than structural innovation. Buildings were lavishly decorated and architects often looked at architecture as theatre, focusing on effects induced by emotions, interpretations and movement. The St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a mix of Renaissance and Baroque Architecture, is one such striking example where movement of people plays a major role. The Cathedral reveals itself slowly and in parts as one climbs up the Vatican Hill. It is only when one reaches the Piazza San Pietro that the full facade of the Basilica comes into view. This is one of the most outstanding buildings of the Renaissance period. The elaborate sculptures, carvings and murals complement the ingenious structural systems and craftsmanship that were engaged in the construction of the Dome. But ironically, for a building of such magnificence, it cannot be viewed in its entirety when one is standing in front- the dome being nicely tucked away behind the colonnaded facade which itself is so huge that the human eye cannot see the whole elevation in one frame. To see the Dome and the entire Basilica, one has to go to Monte Marios, more than a good kilometer away. But from such a distance, none of the elaborate carvings or sculptures are visible any more. Critics consider this a result of undue emphasis on ornamentation and scale over other architectural concerns. Nonetheless, behind all the opulence of Baroque Architecture, the logic of the renaissance times was deeply ingrained.

The architectural style of the Renaissance period spread all over Europe and then to their colonies, where the colonial masters used architecture as a means to impress their colonial might upon the natives. There were subtle differences in the architecture that came up in the colonies, inspired primarily by elements of native architecture and the local climate. In Architectural jargon Indo-Saracenic Architecture refers to the architectural style of many British-built buildings in India. These drew inspiration from the Buddhist Stupa, the Rajasthani Jaali, the Jharokha or projected windows, chajjas with elaborate brackets, chattris and from elements of Islamic Architecture like the bulbous domes, arches and minarets. The Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai and the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi are some prime examples of this architectural style.

Bhaskar Barua

The author is a Guwahati-based Architect and a founding member of SiX, an organisation that works to generate public awareness about Architecture. The opinions expressed are his own and are open to further discussions and debate. The author is reachable on email at barua.bhaskar@gmail.com.

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