Italianate Architecture dates far back into the mid to late 1800’s. Even though it has the word Italian in it, don’t be deceived. Italianate architecture is actually part of the Victorian-era housing (http://www.oldhouseweb.net). Many homes of this time were modest two story buildings that ranged all the way up to great mansions that appealed to everyone in envy. Many kinds of these homes were built for sea captains and other wealthy homeowners. Its no wonder that many people soon found out about this architecture and carried it over to the United States. Since few American architects traveled abroad—the style is defined most by the use of single or paired decorative brackets under wide cornices (http://www.oldhouseweb.net). These carved structures are what catch the human eye first with its unique beauty.
The cornice line is most likely the
most noticeable trait in this type of architecture. Special wooden brackets, carved into many shapes and sizes, were
made by the thousands and were readily available and inexpensive to people
wanting to build there houses in this style (http://www.rchsonline.org). So much about these houses were to my
liking when doing my research.
Everything about them, right down to the shape of the windows has
history. It made for such a sweet
atmosphere to live. Many of the houses
had a free feeling to them. They were
typically more asymmetrical, and had “romantic” features such as towers,
cupolas, and bay windows added to them also. (http://www.rchsonline.org)
Romantics
had to have cherished this type of housing.
That is maybe why it has spread at such a steady rate from one country
to another until it reached the United States around the early 1840’s. People caught word of these houses, and
their significant structuring, and by the 1850’s, Italianate Styling was seen
all around the United States. During
this time Italianate style was the dominant architectural style in Urban
America. It was so popular that it was
the main type of housing being structured around the United States all the way
up until the late 1890’s (http://www.eastrow.org). A prime example of how this type of
architectural style flourished during this time would encompass a visit to New
England. The spurt of new buildings
being built during this time shows a keen resemblance to the Italian type of
building. The Italianate Style is
clearly seen throughout buildings of this time, once new, but now
historic. It is so neat how buildings
that were built so long ago, still stand with so many stories to them. Wow, history has come along way with
Italianate Architecture! I am thrilled
to know that just a little part of a huge history is here in Mankato, where I
can see firsthand what the styling looks like up close!
It’s hard to believe that this type of housing was brought here by the picturesque movement in Europe and was a derivative of the formal Italian Renaissance townhouses of the 15th and 16th centuries (http://www.eastrow.org). To think that our societies that we live in today were thriving with this kind of beauty way back then is incredible! I wonder how much money it would take these days to afford to refurbish one of these beauties? Some day I may have to purchase one, since I know of their incredible history and what the beauty of it all actually means. So as we turn the corner back to where we started, I am so enthused that I was able to share my knowledge of Italianate Architecture with you.
Colleen Ohr F01