An Historical Essay on Architecture 2 Volume Set: (Cambridge Library Collection - Art and Architecture)

With a fondness for classical antiquities and neoclassical design, the connoisseur Thomas Hope (1769–1831) sought to influence Georgian taste by promoting informed interior decoration, displaying his own considerable art collection, and writing with insight on aesthetic topics. This two-volume work, originally published posthumously in 1835, traces the evolution of Western architecture since antiquity. Hope was a keen traveller, and the examples he cites are drawn from buildings that he studied on journeys through Europe and beyond, notably in those countries bordering the Mediterranean. Reissued here in the third edition that appeared in 1840, Volume 1 examines how religions, climates, landscapes and prevailing mores shaped the architectural preferences of civilisations from ancient Egypt to the Gothic revival. Volume 2 amalgamates the precise line drawings that accompanied the first edition with the illustrated analytical index that appeared in 1836.

Table of Contents:
Volume 1: Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Origin and nature of the Egyptian style of architecture; 3. Origin of the architecture of the Greeks; 4. Influence upon architecture of habit and religion; 5. Nature and character of the different orders of Grecian architecture; 6. Natural and adventitious circumstances by which Grecian architecture was affected; 7. On the origin of the arch; 8. Decay of the architecture of the Greeks, and progress of that of the Romans; 9. Effect upon architecture of the introduction of Christianity; 10. Effect upon ancient architecture of the want of glass; 11. Some account of round or polygonal buildings; 12. Rise and progress of the architecture of Byzantium; 13. Derivation of the Persian, Mohammedan, and Moorish architecture from that of Byzantium; 14. Derivation of Russian architecture from that of Byzantium; 15. Destruction of pagan works of art; 16. Symbols used by the early Christians; 17. Heathen customs kept up or emulated by the Christians; 18. Schism between the Greek and Latin churches; 19. Sepulchral architecture; 20. Early styles of architecture on this side of the Alps derived from Italy; 21. Investigation of the circumstances which, towards the end of the tenth century, affected architecture generally and extensively throughout Europe; 22. Lombard style of architecture; 23. Progress of the art of constructing arches and vaults; 24. Forms of the absis, entrance, cupola, spire, and steeple usually seen in Lombard architecture; 25. Lombard monastic architecture; 26. Private defensive architecture of the ninth and tenth centuries; 27. Lombard civic architecture; 28. Allegorical and other ornamental additions to Lombard architecture; 29. On the use of brick; 30. Doors of churches; 31. A list of churches in the Lombard style; 32. Some account of the characteristics of the pointed style; 33. The question of the person by whom, or the place where, the pointed arch was invented, not to be solved; 34. Examination of various conjectures on the subject of the change from round to pointed architecture; 35. The author's theory respecting the invention and adoption of pointed architecture; 36. A brief examination of various conjectures as to the country in which pointed architecture originated; 37. Inquiry into the claims of England to the invention of pointed architecture; 38. Inquiry into the claims of France and Italy; 39. Inquiry into the claims of Germany; 40. A short account of some developments of the pointed style, religious and civic; 41. Diffusion of the pointed style through France, England, Spain, Portugal, and Italy; 42. A list of remarkable edifices in the pointed style; 43. Local peculiarities of architecture; 44. Causes which produced the decline of pointed architecture; 45. Characteristics of the resumed style of the ancients; 46. Adoption throughout Europe of the resumed style of the ancients; 47. A list of edifices in the cinque-cento style; 48. Remarks upon architecture since the time of Michael Angelo; Index. Volume 2: List of plates; Plates; Analytical index.