The Italian in Italianate

 
[Images: Italianate cornice and bracket detail, Door & Window elevation & Window detail, Cummings and Miller,
Architecture, 1865 & Cummings' Architectural Details, 1873 /Artwork: designslinger]

Last week I wrote a post in answer to an email question about the difference between
Victorian and Italianate architecture. As I explained, Italianate is just one of the many styles that make up the Victorian era. And why Italian? Because its inspiration comes from the architecture of the Italian Renaissance, combining architectural details of urban dwellings to Italian farmhouses. The popularity of the style was helped by the publication of pattern books. If you wanted a house, or a business block, you could look through the book with your local builder, pick out a few of the components you liked, and voilà, you'd have yourself a building.

Whether the structure was for residential or commercial use, there are some identifying
details shared by both. Overhanging eaves or cornices, supported by decorative brackets. The upper portion of a window or door frequently has an arch or curve, topped-off with an elaborate crown or pediment. A free-standing Italianate home, compared to a city row house, will have a low-pitched roof, and often have a tower rising from the center of the building or tucked into a corner.

There are Italianate Victorians all over the country. It is the style that the general public
identifies most with the Victorian era. New York's Chelsea neighborhood has some wonderful Italianate row houses. Galena, Illinois of all places, has a spectacular collection of Italianate commercial and residential architecture. Staunton, Virginia west of Charlottesville, has a revitalized, renovated and rehabilitated business district with a nice group of Italianate buildings. And of course, San Francisco explodes with so much Italianate detailing, that it becomes overwhelming at times.

Next week, I'll go over Gothic Revival, and before you know it, you'll begin to see the
differences in the styles that make up the Victorian era.

 
[Images: Italianate Commercial district building, City dwelling and Country Villa, Cummings and Miller, Architecture,
1865 & Cummings' Architectural Details, 1873 /Artwork: designslinger]
Posted by designslinger at 3/9/2009 5:30 AM
Categories: Architecture, Dictionary, History
Tags: Victorian architecture Italianate style
 

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  • 3/9/2009 11:02 AM Carlos Lorenzo wrote:
    Excellent description. I liked the enumeration of every distinguishing element in this style. I will be looking forward to next post on Gothic Revival. It will be interesting to compare both.
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