Gottfried Semper and the Problem of Historicism
Gottfried Semper and the Problem of Historicism
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Using key texts by the German architect and theorist Gottfried Semper, Mari Hvattum offers a reinterpretation of historicism, viewed as a philosophical outlook as well as an architectural problem. Hvattum focuses on Semper's two major concerns: an understanding of the ontological significance of art and architecture, and their rendering as objects of scientific investigation and prediction. She uses Semper's thought as a means to address the inherent problems of historicist thought and its continued influence on modern architectural discourse.
- Original reinterpretation of one of the most influential architectural theorists in the modern period
- A broad and contextual exploration involving the history of science and philosophy
- More than an intellectual biography, addresses problems of historicist thought and its influence on modern architectural discourse
Reviews & endorsements
'It is a compelling thesis, well argues, and … very well written.' Architects Journal
'It is sophisticated, succinct, and crisply written. A splendid achievement.' Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians
Product details
January 2004Hardback
9780521821636
288 pages
254 × 184 × 23 mm
0.817kg
50 b/w illus.
Unavailable - out of print
Table of Contents
- Part I. Towards a Poetics of Architecture:
- 1. The cult of origins
- 2. The doctrine of imitation
- 3. Semper and the poetic of architecture
- Part II. Practical Aesthetics:
- 4. Semper and practical aesthetics
- 5. The comparative method
- 6. Towards a method of inventing
- Part III. The Aporias of Historicism:
- 7. Semper and the 'Style of Our Time'
- 8. History and historicism
- 9. Between poetics and practical aesthetics.
