Romanesque Revival Architecture in Transnational Perspective
Kathleen M. Curran
November 2003 · Historically Speaking29 Romanesque Revival Architecture in Transnational Perspective Kathleen Curran Beginning the early 1820s, largely under influence of German Romanticism, a new appreciation for medieval architecture occurred Germany. Opposed to popular fad Greek that was sweeping cities like Munich and Berlin, some architects argued Germany's climate, available building materials, cultural roots demanded native architectural style. The clearest statement this point ofview came from Karlsruhe architect Heinrich Hübsch, whose 1828 book In welchem Style sollen wir bauen? (In What Should We Build?) answered his own question. Hübsch believed Rundbogenstil (round arch style) appropriate style modern word an term describe round-arched spanning fall Roman Empire die beginning ofthe Gothic age. parlance thatwould include Christian, Carolingian, Ottonian , architecture, but really centered on or 11th- 12th-century building. (By 1840s, as scholarship became more precise, replaced Rundbogenstil.) favor it offered flexibility than either Gothic. Its materials were local, its large expanses ofwaU allowed interior mural painting, revival which went hand with Romanesque. Within fewshortyears enthusiasm spread throughout Germany and, by far away United States. two most important centers Rundbogenstilin Germanywere BerUn. Between 1825 1848 Bavaria ruled lusty King Ludwig I, who possessed mania shared few other rulers history. He elevated sleepy town into one visited European capitals 19th century (before Paris Haussmanized third quarter century). built namesake street (the Ludwigstraße) hired Friedrich von Gärtner design buildings, whichincluded church named after him Ludwigskirche); earUestpubUc Ubraries; educational buildings including major university; administration buildings; institute bUnd. They all Two buildings—the Ludwigskirche state Ubrary—were widely copied. Ludwigwas staunch Catholic once declared "religion istdaswichtigste" (religion is thing.) Not surprisingly ofhis buildingprojects had do churches related schools. subscribed vision ofa world Catholicism even so introducingthe Benedictine orderinto States 1840s effort educate huge influx ofGerman immigrants coming these shores. scores churches, schools, monasteries, St. Vincent'sArchabbeyin Latrobe, Pennsylvania John's College CoIlegeville Minnesota. Letters visual evidence indicate often chosen Ludwig's projects . Ifyou've ever driven remote places Missouri, Indiana, Kansas have seen look something out Germany, theywere probablybuilt "Mission Society," operated until World War I. One aspect worldwide ramifications center offresco painting model Italian Renaissance. AU ofMunich's elaborate murals, did American churches. IfMunich laid artistic foundations international revival, Berlin theological ones. Prussia predominately Protestant territories greatly expanded following Napoleonic wars. kings Lutheran Reformed (Calvinist). Wilhelm??, reigned 1797 1840, favored faith, son, Wilhelm IV (ruled 1840-1857), veered toward Reformed. This dreamy, refinedking, whowouldhave much preferred be sovereign, loved Rundbogenstilas no otherstyle. Buteven brother-in-law wanted Rundbogenstilto playa central role Prussia. With trusted friend, diplomat Carl FriedrichJosias Bunsen, WilhelmIVconceived greatProtestantworld church...
Historically Speaking