THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK ON THE RECEPTION OF CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE

This is the first comprehensive study of the reception of classical architecture in different regions of the world. Exploring the impact of colonialism trade slavery religious missions political ideology and intellectual/artistic exchange the authors demonstrate how classical principles and ideas were disseminated and received across the globe. By addressing a number of contentious or unresolved issues highlighted in some historical surveys of architecture the chapters presented in this volume question long-held assumptions about the notion of a universally accepted ‘classical tradition’ and its broadly Euro-centric perspective. Featuring thirty-two chapters written by international scholars from China Europe Turkey North America Mexico Australia and New Zealand the book is divided into four sections: 1) Transmission and re-conceptualisation of classical architecture; 2) Classical influence through colonialism political ideology and religious conversion; 3) Historiographical surveys of geographical regions; and 4) Visual and textual discourses. This fourfold arrangement of chapters provides a coherent structure to accommodate different perspectives of classical reception across the world and their geographical ethnographic ideological symbolic social and cultural contexts. Essays cover a wide geography and include studies in Italy France England Scotland the Nordic countries Greece Austria Portugal Romania Germany Poland India Singapore China the USA Mexico Brazil New Zealand and Australia. Other essays in the volume focus on thematic issues or topics pertaining to classical architecture such as ornament spolia humanism nature moderation decorum heresy and taste. An essential reference guide The Routledge Handbook on the Reception of Classical Architecture makes a major contribution to the study of architectural history in a new global context.