Academic Classicism

Academic Classicism (1885-1920)

By Jeffery Howe

Academic classicism is also referred to as the Classical Revival, or Beaux-Arts Classicism (after the French Ecole des Beaux-Arts). It is a late form of Neoclassicism, with a decidedly eclectic flair. Greek and Roman models are combined with Renaissance forms. Related revivals include: Renaissance, French Renaissance, and Flemish.

The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago was a triumph of academic classicism, and a major impetus for the City Beautiful movement.

Public Buildings

McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895	McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895
McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895	McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895	McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895
McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895	McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895	McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895
McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895. Murals by Puvis de Chavannes	McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895. Murals by Puvis de Chavannes	McKim, Mead & White: Public Library, Boston, 1888-1895. Murals by Puvis de Chavannes
Carrere & Hastings: Public Library, NYC, 1905
McKim, Mead & White: Penn Station, NYC, 1906-10	McKim, Mead & White: Penn Station, NYC, 1906-10	McKim, Mead & White: Penn Station, NYC, 1906-10

Boston Public Library, 1888-1895. McKim, Mead, & White, architects.
Boston Public Library, 1888-1895. McKim, Mead, & White, architects.
Boston Public Library, 1888-1895. McKim, Mead, & White, architects.
New York Public Library, NYC, 1905. Carrere & Hastings, architects. From an old postcard.
Pennsylvania Station, NYC. 1906-10. McKim, Mead & White, architects. Designed 1902-05; built 1906-10. From an old postcard.

Museums

C. Atwood: Palace of Fine Arts, 1893 Columbian Exposition; now Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago	C. Atwood: Palace of Fine Arts, 1893 Columbian Exposition; now Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago	C. Atwood: Palace of Fine Arts, 1893 Columbian Exposition; now Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
R.M. Hunt: Metropolitan Museum, NYC, 1895	Shepley, Rutan, Coolidge: Art Institute of Chicago, 1893

Palace of Fine Arts, 1893 Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893. Charles Atwood, of Burnham & Root, architect. From an old postcard. Rebuilt in permanent form 1926.
Palace of Fine Arts, Columbian Exposition; now Museum of Science and
Industry, Chicago, 1893. Charles Atwood, of Burnham & Root, architect. Rebuilt in permanent form 1926.
Metropolitan Museum, NYC, 1895. Richard Morris Hunt, architect. From an old postcard.

Public Buildings

Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge: Union (North) Station Boston, 1893	Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge: South Station, Boston, 1899
Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge: Water Pumping Station,Chestnut Hill, MA, 1895	Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge: Water Pumping Station,Chestnut Hill, MA, 1895	Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge: Water Pumping Station,Chestnut Hill, MA, 1895

Union (North) Station, Boston. 1893.Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, architects. Demolished 1927; from an old postcard.
South Station, Boston. 1899. Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, architects. From an old postcard.

Residential Architecture

Back Bay Boston Houses


McKim, Mead & White: 32 Hereford St., Boston, 1884	McKim, Mead & White: 199 Commonwealth Ave.. Boston, 1890	McKim, Mead & White: 303 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 1895

The Breakers

Richard Morris Hunt: "The
Breakers," Newport, RI, 1895

R.M. Hunt: "The Breakers,"
Newport, RI, 1895

Grand Central Station, NYC

Reed & Stem, Warren & Wetmore:
Grand Central Terminal, NYC, 1913.
Viaducts completed 1919.

Information provided by: http://www.bc.edu