Classical vs. Baroque Architecture: The Aesthetics of Balance or Dramatic Expression?
🏛️ Classical Architecture vs. Baroque Architecture
The Aesthetics of Balance or Dramatic Expression?
Introduction: Architecture Embodies the Philosophy of an Era
Architecture is not merely a technique for creating spaces for human habitation or activity. It is an art form and a cultural product that wholly encapsulates the worldview, values, philosophy, and aesthetic ideals of the people who lived in that era. By examining the architecture of a period, we can understand what its people valued, what kind of beauty they pursued, and the power structures within which they lived.
In the history of European architecture, there are two styles that are most contrasting yet profoundly influential: Classical Architecture and Baroque Architecture. Classical architecture inherited the principles of ancient Greece and Rome, pursuing a mathematical and rational beauty through balance, proportion, and harmony. In contrast, Baroque architecture, which began in Italy in the late 16th century and spread throughout Europe, aimed to intensely stimulate the viewer's emotions through splendor, dramatic effects, and sensory impact.
If Classical architecture is the architecture of "reason and order," then Baroque architecture is the architecture of "emotion and authority." One sought eternal harmony through restrained beauty, while the other offered an overwhelming momentary experience through exaggerated expression.
The difference between these two styles goes beyond mere aesthetic preference. The contrast between Classicism and Baroque reflects a broader philosophical, social, and political opposition: reason versus emotion, restraint versus excess, democracy versus absolute monarchy, and individual reason versus the majesty of authority.
Today, we will deeply compare these two monumental architectural styles, examining their historical backgrounds, philosophical foundations, aesthetic characteristics, representative buildings, and their impact on the modern world. Through architecture, we will come to understand how humanity has comprehended space, defined beauty, and expressed power.
📆 A Journey Through Time: From Classicism to Baroque
Architectural styles are born and evolve within a historical context. Understanding the timeline of Classical and Baroque architecture is the first step to grasping the essence of these two styles.
🏛️ Architectural Timeline
- 5th Century BCE – 5th Century CE: Ancient Greece and Rome
This is the period when the archetype of Classical architecture was born. Core principles such as proportion, symmetry, and the order of columns were established in buildings like the Parthenon and the Pantheon. - 14th – 16th Century: The Renaissance
A period of moving away from the religious architecture of the Middle Ages, rediscovering and reviving the Classical principles of ancient Greece and Rome. Architects like Brunelleschi and Palladio emphasized mathematical proportion and harmony. - Late 16th – 18th Century: The Baroque Era
The Baroque style, originating in Italy, spread throughout Europe. In conjunction with the Counter-Reformation and the strengthening of absolute monarchy, dramatic and ornate architecture emerged. Architects like Bernini and Borromini were prominent figures.
The Origins of Classical Architecture: Ancient Greece and Rome
The roots of Classical architecture began in 5th century BCE Athens, Greece. The Greeks of that era regarded human reason and mathematical order as the essence of the universe. This philosophy was directly reflected in their architecture, where every element of a building was designed according to mathematical ratios. The Parthenon was a symbol of perfect proportion based on the golden ratio, and the three column styles (Orders)—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—were established.
Entering the Roman era, Classical architecture developed further. The Romans embraced the aesthetic principles of Greece while adding practicality and grandeur. Advancements in arch and dome technology made it possible to create vast spaces like the Pantheon, which became a fundamental principle for all subsequent Western architecture.
The Renaissance: A Revival of Classicism
Medieval Europe was dominated by the Gothic style. Soaring spires, stained glass, and asymmetrical structures expressed reverence for God but were distant from the rational order of ancient Greece and Rome. However, the Renaissance, which began in 14th-century Italy, brought Classicism back to the forefront.
Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschi studied the ancient Roman Pantheon to design the dome of the Florence Cathedral. Andrea Palladio systemized the principles of Classical architecture by writing "The Four Books of Architecture," and his villas showcased perfect symmetry and proportion. The Classical architecture of the Renaissance reflected humanism, reason, and scientific thought.
The Birth of the Baroque: The Counter-Reformation and Absolute Monarchy
In the late 16th century, Europe was divided into Catholic and Protestant factions due to the Reformation. The Catholic Church sought to win back believers through the Counter-Reformation, and one of its tools was architecture and art. The restrained beauty of Classicism was not enough. There was a need to intensely stimulate people's emotions and visually overwhelm them with the authority of the Church.
At the same time, 17th-century Europe was the age of absolute monarchy. Absolute monarchs, exemplified by Louis XIV, built massive and splendid palaces to flaunt their power. Baroque architecture perfectly met these demands of the era. Curves, spiral staircases, gold leaf decorations, frescoed ceilings, and grand domes overwhelmed viewers and inspired awe.
Thus, Classical and Baroque architecture were born from different historical backgrounds. One flourished in an age of reason and harmony, the other in an age of authority and emotion.
🎭 Philosophical & Aesthetic Differences: Reason vs. Emotion
The most fundamental difference between Classical and Baroque architecture lies in their philosophical foundations. An architectural style is not just a difference in appearance; it reflects how the people of that era understood the world and what they considered beautiful.
| Aspect | Classical Architecture | Baroque Architecture |
|---|---|---|
| Core Values | Balance, Proportion, Harmony | Dramatic Effect, Grandeur, Sensory Experience |
| Philosophical Basis | Reason, Mathematical Order, Humanism | Emotion, Authority, Religious Grandeur |
| Sense of Space | Simple, Clear, Linear, Symmetrical | Curved, Spiral, Deep Perspective, Dynamic |
| Decoration | Minimized, Restrained, True to Function | Exaggerated, Gilded, Sculptural, Frescoed, Ornate |
| Column Styles | Doric, Ionic, Corinthian (Clear Order) | Twisted Columns, Spiral Columns, Composite Orders |
| Use of Light | Uniform, Natural Light | Dramatic Contrast (Chiaroscuro) |
| Key Elements | Pediment, Entablature, Symmetrical Façade | Oval Dome, Grand Staircase, Exaggerated Façade, Statues |
🏛️ Classicism: The Architecture of Reason and Order
Philosophy: Classical architecture is rooted in the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. It was believed that the universe is made of mathematical order and that beauty comes from proportion and harmony.
The Golden Ratio: The ancient Greeks discovered the golden ratio of 1:1.618 and applied it to architecture. The façade of the Parthenon was designed with perfect golden proportions.
Symmetry and Balance: All elements are symmetrical along a central axis. This symbolizes the order and stability of the universe.
Restrained Decoration: Decoration is minimized so as not to interfere with the structure. The principle that "form follows function" already existed in Classicism.
Key Summary: Classical architecture is to be "understood and appreciated." It provides an intellectual experience of analyzing mathematical ratios, recognizing symmetry, and understanding order. In contrast, Baroque architecture is to be "felt and experienced." It offers a sensory experience of being overwhelmed, surprised, and emotionally moved.
🏛️ Representative Buildings: Theory Made Real
A true understanding of an architectural style is completed through its actual buildings. Let's examine the representative works of Classicism and Baroque to see how theory was realized in stone and marble.
🏛️ Masterpieces of Classical Architecture
1. The Parthenon (447-432 BCE)
Location: Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Architects: Ictinus and Callicrates
The Parthenon is the archetype and culmination of Classical architecture. Built for the goddess Athena, this temple uses Doric columns while realizing perfect mathematical proportions. Every part of the temple was designed according to the golden ratio (1:1.618); the ratio of width to height on the facade, the spacing of the columns, and the ratio of column height to diameter all follow the golden mean.
Interestingly, while the Parthenon appears perfectly "straight," it actually incorporates subtle curves. The stylobate (the base) is slightly convex, rising in the center, and the columns are not perfectly vertical but lean slightly inward. This technique, called entasis, is a visual correction to make the structure appear perfectly straight to the human eye. This is the essence of Classical architecture: a combination of mathematical precision and a deep understanding of human perception.
2. The Pantheon (126 CE)
Location: Rome, Italy
Architect: Reign of Emperor Hadrian (exact architect unknown)
The Pantheon is the supreme masterpiece of Roman Classical architecture. The most astounding feature of this building is its dome. At 43.3 meters in diameter, it was the world's largest dome for over 1,700 years and remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world today.
The dome of the Pantheon is a perfect hemisphere. Its interior height is exactly equal to its interior diameter, allowing a perfect sphere to be inscribed within it. This symbolizes the perfect geometric order of the universe. At the center of the dome is an 8.2-meter oculus (a circular opening) that lets in natural light. This light slowly moves across the interior throughout the day, visualizing the passage of time.
3. Villa Rotonda (1567-1592)
Location: Vicenza, Italy
Architect: Andrea Palladio
Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio was a figure who systemized and reinterpreted the principles of Classical architecture. His Villa Rotonda is the epitome of perfect symmetry. The villa has a square floor plan with four identical facades. Each side features a portico with Ionic columns, and at the center is a circular hall with a dome.
In his "The Four Books of Architecture" (I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura), Palladio explained the principle of architecture: "The beauty of architecture arises from the proportion of the parts to each other, and of the parts to the whole. In a beautiful building, nothing can be added or taken away." The Villa Rotonda is the perfect embodiment of this principle.
✨ Masterpieces of Baroque Architecture
1. St. Peter's Basilica (1506-1626)
Location: Vatican City
Key Architects: Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini
St. Peter's Basilica perfectly illustrates the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque. The initial design was Bramante's Classical central-plan layout, but it was changed to a basilica form when Maderno added a long nave. Finally, it was completed as a Baroque masterpiece when Bernini added the piazza and colonnade.
Upon entering the basilica, one is breathtakingly overwhelmed by its immense scale and splendor. Michelangelo's dome, soaring 136 meters high, seems to reach for the heavens, and the interior is filled with gold leaf, marble, mosaics, and sculptures. Bernini's baldacchino, a 29-meter-tall bronze canopy over the altar, creates a dramatic focal point with its spiral columns and ornate decorations.
Bernini's St. Peter's Square is oval, with two semi-circular colonnades embracing the piazza. These colonnades, consisting of 284 Doric columns, carry the symbolic meaning of the Church embracing the faithful. This was the message of the Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation: "We welcome and embrace you."
2. Palace of Versailles (1661-1715)
Location: Versailles, France
Key Architects: Louis Le Vau, Jules Hardouin-Mansart
The Palace of Versailles is the ultimate example of absolute monarchy's power expressed through architecture. Louis XIV declared, "L'État, c'est moi" ("I am the state"), and Versailles is the physical evidence of this declaration. The scale of the palace is beyond imagination: 2,300 rooms, 67 staircases, and a total area of 63,154 square meters.
The most famous space in Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces). This 73-meter-long hall has 17 massive windows on one wall, faced by 357 mirrors on the opposite wall. As mirrors were an extreme luxury at the time, this space not only flaunted the king's immense wealth but also created a dramatic effect of light. The effect of candlelight from the chandeliers reflecting infinitely in the mirrors was designed to overwhelm visitors.
3. Karlskirche (St. Charles Church) (1716-1737)
Location: Vienna, Austria
Architect: Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach
The Karlskirche is a church that perfectly showcases the curvilinear beauty and dramatic effects of Baroque architecture. Commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI to thank God for the end of a plague epidemic, the church embodies the free imagination of the Baroque style. The façade is a unique combination of a Classical portico, a grand oval dome, and two flanking columns modeled after Trajan's Column in Rome. This eclectic mix of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine styles demonstrates the creativity of the Baroque, breaking free from the strict rules of Classicism.
The interior has an oval plan, and the inside of the dome is adorned with a fresco by Johann Michael Rottmayr. This ceiling painting uses illusionistic techniques to make it seem as if the sky is opening up.
Architectural Comparison Summary: Compare the Parthenon and St. Peter's Basilica. The Parthenon seeks rational beauty through restrained columns and perfect proportions. St. Peter's seeks emotional dominance through ornate decoration and dramatic light. Both are great achievements of humanity, but they embody entirely different philosophies.
🌍 Social & Cultural Meaning: Architecture Speaks of Power
Architecture is never neutral. It always reflects and expresses someone's power, values, and worldview. The difference between Classical and Baroque architecture is not just a matter of aesthetics but reflects political, social, and religious differences.
Classical Architecture and Democracy
Classical architecture was born from the polis culture of ancient Greece. Athenian democracy was a system in which citizens participated equally, and this ideal of equality was reflected in its architecture. The Parthenon was a public space accessible to all citizens, and its beauty expressed not the power of a single individual but the pride of the entire community.
The symmetry and balance of Classicism symbolize equality. Neither side is superior to the other, and all elements coexist in harmony. This aligns with the ideals of democracy. It is no coincidence that Classicism was revived during the Renaissance. Humanist thinkers emphasized individual reason and freedom, and Classical architecture was the perfect means to express these values. During the 18th-century Enlightenment, Neoclassicism emerged. America's founding fathers chose Classical architecture to express the ideals of democracy and republicanism.
Baroque Architecture and Absolute Monarchy
Baroque architecture flourished under the opposite political system. Seventeenth-century Europe was the age of absolute monarchy. Monarchs like Louis XIV, the Habsburg emperors, and Peter the Great of Russia all possessed immense power and needed to visually flaunt their authority.
The Palace of Versailles is the perfect symbol of absolute monarchy. The scale, splendor, and complexity of the palace demonstrate how absolute the king's power was. The complex circulation and mysterious spatial composition of Baroque architecture also carry political meaning. Visitors constantly experience surprise and get lost in the space. This symbolizes the incomprehensibility of power. Ordinary citizens cannot fully understand the structure of power; they can only be overwhelmed by it.
Baroque Architecture and the Counter-Reformation
Another crucial background for Baroque architecture is the Counter-Reformation. The Catholic Church faced a crisis in the 16th century with Martin Luther's Reformation. The Catholic Church responded by adopting a strategy of enhancing the sensory experience. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) recommended using art and architecture to stimulate the emotions of the faithful and strengthen their faith.
Bernini's sculpture, "The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa," perfectly illustrates this. Depicting the moment an angel pierces Saint Teresa's heart with a golden arrow, the work is illuminated by light from a hidden window, creating a mystical atmosphere.
🏛️ The Social Message of Classicism
- Reason and Order: Enlightened citizens can make rational judgments
- Equality: Symmetry and balance symbolize the equality of all elements
- Transparency: A clear structure signifies the transparency of power
- Public Spirit: Architecture for the entire community
- Education: Enlightening citizens through architecture
Key Insight: Classical architecture says, "We are equal." Baroque architecture says, "I am greater than you." The opposition between the two styles is not just a story of the past. Even today, we ask questions about power, equality, and democracy through architecture.
🌏 Classicism and Baroque Encountered in Asia
Although Classicism and Baroque were born in Europe, they underwent interesting transformations as they spread to Asia from the late 19th century. East Asian countries like Korea, Japan, and China integrated Western architecture with their own cultural contexts as they accepted it.
Modern Korean Architecture: A Meeting of Tradition and the West
After opening its ports in the late 19th century, Western-style buildings began to appear in Korea. Most of these buildings followed the Classical style, which was no coincidence. Classicism was considered a symbol of "civilization" and "modernity."
Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon Hall (1910)
Located within Deoksugung Palace, Seokjojeon is a Neoclassical building designed by British architect John Reginald Harding. The building symbolized the Korean Empire's will to modernize, but ironically, it faced the Japanese colonial period shortly after its completion. Seokjojeon features typical Classical elements: Corinthian columns, a symmetrical façade, and a pediment. What is interesting, however, is that this building is situated within a traditional Korean palace.
Myeongdong Cathedral (1898)
Myeongdong Cathedral was designed by French missionaries in the Gothic style, but Baroque elements can be found in its interior decoration. The ornate gold leaf on the altar, the statues of saints, and the rich colors of the stained glass pursue the sensory experience of the Baroque. Myeongdong Cathedral delivered a great shock to Joseon society at the time.
Former Seoul City Hall (now Seoul Metropolitan Library, 1926)
The former Seoul City Hall, built during the Japanese colonial period, follows the Renaissance style. Its symmetrical structure, central dome, and restrained decoration embody the spirit of Classicism. However, this building carries a complex historical meaning. The Japanese intentionally used the Classical style. Classicism symbolized "order, law, and rationality," which was a visual language to justify colonial rule.
Meiji Architecture in Japan: Strategic Adoption of Westernization
After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan pursued rapid Westernization, and architecture was a key tool. The Japanese government intentionally invited Western architects to create an image of a "civilized nation."
Tokyo Station (1914)
Tokyo Station is a Renaissance-style building designed by Tatsuno Kingo, a student of British architect Josiah Conder. The red bricks, symmetrical structure, and domes were all modeled after European train stations. However, Tokyo Station was not a simple imitation. While adopting Western technology and styles, Japan added its own interpretations.
Akasaka Palace (1909)
The Akasaka Palace (now the State Guest House) is a Baroque-style building modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France. Its ornate decorations, grand staircase, chandeliers, and gold leaf were all recreations of a European royal palace. The reason this building is interesting is that Japan intentionally chose the most splendid style to show that it was a "civilized nation on par with the Western powers."
Shanghai, China: Eclecticism in the Concessions
In the late 19th century, various Western architectural styles flowed into Shanghai as foreign concessions were established by countries like Britain, France, and the United States. The Bund (Wàitān) area created a landscape that seemed to have transplanted a European city. The HSBC Building (1923) is in the Neoclassical style, with massive Corinthian columns and a dome. This building was a symbol of financial imperialism.
The Lesson from Asia: What we learn from the spread of Western architecture to Asia is that architectural styles are never neutral. Classicism and Baroque were not just aesthetics but a language of power, religion, and identity. And as Asia adopted this language, it also created its own sentences.
🏙️ Influence on Modern Architecture: The Past is Alive
Classical and Baroque architecture are not relics of the past. These two styles continue to inspire architects today, shape urban landscapes, and define our experience of space.
Neoclassicism: The Revival of Classicism
From the late 18th to the 19th century, Neoclassicism swept across Europe and America. Enlightenment thinkers regarded ancient Greece and Rome as the ideals of reason and democracy, and architects reinterpreted Classical principles in a modern way.
The founding fathers of the United States chose Classical architecture to express the identity of the new republic. Thomas Jefferson studied architecture himself, and his home, Monticello, follows the Palladian style. The U.S. Capitol building mimics the dome of the Pantheon, and the Lincoln Memorial follows the form of the Parthenon.
Beaux-Arts Style: A Fusion of Classicism and Baroque
The Beaux-Arts style, which developed at the École des Beaux-Arts in 19th-century Paris, combined the symmetry and proportion of Classicism with the ornate decoration of the Baroque. Buildings like the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) and Grand Central Terminal in New York are masterpieces of this style.
Modern Architecture and Classicism
In the early 20th century, Modernism rejected all ornamentation under the slogan "Ornament is a crime." Architects like Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe pursued pure function, clear structure, and minimal elements. Interestingly, this can be seen as a modern interpretation of the Classical spirit.
Today's minimalist architecture is also a descendant of Classicism. The works of Japanese architect Tadao Ando define space with the pure geometry of exposed concrete. This is an embodiment of the Parthenon's spirit, realized with 21st-century materials and technology.
Modern Architecture and the Baroque
The influence of the Baroque is still strong. Especially in performing arts architecture, the dramatic effects of the Baroque continue to be utilized. Buildings like the Sydney Opera House and the Walt Disney Concert Hall reinterpret the Baroque spirit in a modern way using curves, dynamism, and dramatic forms.
Deconstructivism in architecture can also be seen as a descendant of the Baroque. Architects like Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid dismantle traditional geometry to create unpredictable forms. Gehry's Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, with its titanium-clad curvilinear exterior, constantly changes its shape depending on the viewing angle.
Postmodernism: Rediscovering History
Postmodernism, which began in the 1970s, reacted against the rigidity of Modernism by reintroducing historical styles. Architects like Michael Graves and Philip Johnson playfully used elements from both Classicism and Baroque.
What's Your Choice? If you were to design an important public building, which style would you choose? The restrained beauty of Classicism, the dramatic splendor of the Baroque, or a harmony of the two? The answer to this question is not just a matter of taste. It reveals what kind of world you dream of.
⚖️ In-Depth Comparison: A Detailed Element Analysis
Now, let's compare Classical and Baroque architecture in more detail, element by element. Understanding how each element is used differently will clarify the essence of the two styles.
1. The Philosophy of Columns
Classicism: In Classicism, the column is a structural essence. The three orders—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—each have a clear system of proportions. The diameter, height, and capital form of a column are all mathematically defined. Columns are actual structural elements that support weight, and their decoration is minimal.
Baroque: In Baroque, the column is a tool of expression. Traditional orders are distorted, twisted, and transformed. The Solomonic (spiral) columns of Bernini's baldacchino in St. Peter's Basilica show that the column is no longer just a vertical support but a dynamic and dramatic work of sculpture.
2. The Strategy of the Façade
Classicism: The façade is planar and clear. Everything can be understood from a frontal view. The axis of symmetry is clear, the division of floors is distinct, and the hierarchy of elements is logical. The façade of the Parthenon is simply composed of three elements: a triangular pediment, columns, and a base (stylobate).
Baroque: The façade is three-dimensional and complex. Protruding and receding sections intersect, creating dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. The façade of Borromini's San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane church undulates with curves, presenting a completely different appearance depending on the viewing angle.
3. The Meaning of the Dome
Classicism: The dome represents perfect geometry. The Pantheon's dome is a perfect hemisphere, and from inside, one experiences its mathematical purity. Light entering through the oculus uniformly illuminates the space, revealing the dome's proportions. The dome symbolizes cosmic order and eternity.
Baroque: The dome is a dramatic stage. The interior is filled with frescoes, often using trompe-l'œil techniques to create the illusion of an open sky. The ceiling fresco by Andrea Pozzo in Rome's Sant'Ignazio completely erases the boundary between architecture and painting.
4. The Role of Stairs
Classicism: Stairs are a functional element. They are a means of moving from point A to point B, simple and clear. The width, height, and slope of the stairs are ergonomically designed, and decoration is minimized.
Baroque: Stairs are a dramatic stage. The grand staircase of the Würzburg Residence, designed by Balthasar Neumann, is the palace's highlight. Its structure, where double staircases begin on either side, meet in the center, and then diverge again, offers visitors a continuous experience of choice and discovery.
5. The Philosophy of Light
Classicism: Light is a revealer of truth. Uniform and natural light reveals the proportions and structure of the space as they are. Windows are placed symmetrically to minimize shadows, making the entire space clearly visible.
Baroque: Light is a dramatic tool. Light is controlled through hidden windows, stained glass, and reflective surfaces to highlight certain areas while leaving others in darkness. The light illuminating Bernini's "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" comes from a hidden yellow glass window in the ceiling, making it appear like a heavenly glow.
The Essence of Elemental Contrast: In every detailed element, the contrast between Classicism and Baroque follows the same pattern. Classicism pursues clarity, comprehensibility, and rational order. Baroque pursues complexity, mystery, and sensory experience. One says, "Understand," while the other says, "Feel."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🎯 Conclusion: An Eternal Dialogue
We have explored the two great architectural styles of Classicism and Baroque. What we have discovered on this journey is not just the history of architecture, but two sides of human nature.
Beyond Opposition
Although Classicism and Baroque are often depicted as being in opposition, they are, in fact, complementary. Humans possess both reason and emotion, need both order and freedom, and seek both clarity and mystery. Great architecture may lie in finding the balance between these two aspects.
Interestingly, many great buildings contain elements of both styles. St. Peter's Basilica is a combination of Michelangelo's Classical dome and Bernini's Baroque decoration. The Palace of Versailles also combines the Classical structure of Le Vau with Baroque ornamentation. Perhaps the richest architecture is that which embodies freedom within order, emotion within reason.
The Questions Architecture Asks Us
By studying Classicism and Baroque, we have realized that architecture is not merely the craft of constructing buildings. Architecture poses fundamental questions to us:
- What do we consider beautiful? Restraint or abundance?
- What kind of society do we want? Equality or hierarchy?
- How do we express power? Transparency or majesty?
- What kind of experience do we value? Understanding or emotion?
The answers to these questions vary by era, culture, and individual. Thus, the history of architecture is not just a transition of styles, but an evolution of human values.
Your Choice
If you were to build a house, which style would you choose? This question goes beyond mere aesthetic taste. It is a question about how you want to live and what you hold important.
If you choose Classicism: You seek clarity, order, and timeless beauty. Your home would be calm, balanced, and still beautiful a decade later.
If you choose Baroque: You seek richness, individuality, and a dramatic experience. Your home would be unique, emotional, and would surprise visitors.
Or if you harmonize the two: You seek a balance between reason and emotion, order and freedom. This is perhaps the most human choice of all.
Final Message
The opposition between Classical and Baroque architecture is not a story of the past. We make this choice every day. We constantly choose between the minimalist design of an iPhone (Classicism) and a flashy gaming PC (Baroque), simple MUJI furniture (Classicism) and decorative Rococo-style furniture (Baroque), a concise presentation (Classicism) and a vibrant infographic (Baroque).
The important thing is to choose consciously. Why do I choose this? Does this choice align with my values? What message does this choice send to others?
Architecture is philosophy made of stone and glass. Classicism is the philosophy of "harmonious reason," and Baroque is the philosophy of "dramatic emotion." Both philosophies are necessary for our lives. Neither is completely right or completely wrong. True wisdom lies in knowing when reason is needed and when emotion is needed, and in finding the balance between the two.
We hope that after reading this, you will see buildings differently. When you pass by a museum, a church, a government building, or even a café, pause for a moment and ask: "What is this architecture saying to me?" In the process of answering that question, you will come to understand not only architecture but also our society and ourselves more deeply.
Architecture is the most public art form created by humankind. We live, work, love, and dream within architecture every day. What Classicism and Baroque have taught us is not just about architectural styles, but about the eternal question of how we, as human beings, should live.
The answer to that question continues. Today, tomorrow, and forever.
