High Victorian Gothic
Encyclopedia
High Victorian Gothic was an eclectic architectural style
and movement during the mid-late 19th century. It is seen by architectural historians as either sub-style of the broader Gothic Revival
style, or a separate style unto its own right.
Promoted and derived from the works of architect and theorist John Ruskin
, though it would eventually diverge, it is alternately referred to as Ruskinian Gothic. It is characterized by the use of polychrome
decoration, "use of varying texture", and Gothic details.
The Stick Style is sometimes consider the wooden manifestation of the High Victorian Gothic style.
In the 1870s, the style became popular for civic, commercial, and religious architecture in the United States, though was uncommon for residential structures. It was frequently used for what became the "Old Main
" of various schools and universities in the late 19th century United States.
Architectural style
Architectural styles classify architecture in terms of the use of form, techniques, materials, time period, region and other stylistic influences. It overlaps with, and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture...
and movement during the mid-late 19th century. It is seen by architectural historians as either sub-style of the broader Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
style, or a separate style unto its own right.
Promoted and derived from the works of architect and theorist John Ruskin
John Ruskin
John Ruskin was the leading English art critic of the Victorian era, also an art patron, draughtsman, watercolourist, a prominent social thinker and philanthropist. He wrote on subjects ranging from geology to architecture, myth to ornithology, literature to education, and botany to political...
, though it would eventually diverge, it is alternately referred to as Ruskinian Gothic. It is characterized by the use of polychrome
Polychrome
Polychrome is one of the terms used to describe the use of multiple colors in one entity. It has also been defined as "The practice of decorating architectural elements, sculpture, etc., in a variety of colors." Polychromatic light is composed of a number of different wavelengths...
decoration, "use of varying texture", and Gothic details.
The Stick Style is sometimes consider the wooden manifestation of the High Victorian Gothic style.
In the 1870s, the style became popular for civic, commercial, and religious architecture in the United States, though was uncommon for residential structures. It was frequently used for what became the "Old Main
Old Main
Old Main is a term often applied to the original building present on college or university campuses in the United States. The building often serves as home to administrative offices, such as president or provost. The building also serves as a focal point of the institution and common location to...
" of various schools and universities in the late 19th century United States.
Examples
- St. Pancras railway station, London, UK
- Gorton MonasteryGorton MonasteryThe Church and Friary of St Francis, known locally as Gorton Monastery, is a 19th century former Franciscan friary in Gorton, in east Manchester, England. The Franciscans arrived in Gorton in December 1861 and built their friary between 1863 and 1867. The foundation stone for the church was laid in...
, Manchester, UK - New Haven City Hall and County CourthouseNew Haven City Hall and County CourthouseThe New Haven City Hall and County Courthouse is located in the Downtown section of New Haven, Connecticut. The city hall building, designed by Henry Austin, was built in 1861; the old courthouse building, now an annex, designed by David R. Brown, was built in 1871-3. They stand on the east side...
, Connecticut, USA - Hudson River State HospitalHudson River State HospitalThe Hudson River State Hospital, is a former New York state psychiatric hospital whose main building has been designated a National Historic Landmark due to its exemplary High Victorian Gothic architecture, the first use of that style for an American institutional building., It is located on US 9...
in New York, USA - Memorial Hall (Harvard University)Memorial Hall (Harvard University)Memorial Hall is an imposing brick building in High Victorian Gothic style, located on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts...
, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - The Miller School of AlbemarleThe Miller School of AlbemarleThe Miller School of Albemarle is a coeducational day and boarding college preparatory school outside Charlottesville, Virginia for students in grades 8 - PG. It first opened its doors in 1878 with 33 students. One of the nation's oldest coeducational boarding schools, girls first enrolled in...
, in Albemarle County, Virginia, USA (1878-1884) - Carey Baptist ChurchCarey Baptist ChurchCarey Baptist Church is an independent evangelical/baptist church in Reading, England.-History:The church was founded in 1867 and was named after William Carey, a famous missionary from Northamptonshire, who went to India in 1793, and never returned to his homeland.Notable past pastors include Rev...
, Reading, England, 1867