Predominant Origins and Influences of Gothic Revival Architecture

The nineteenth century was the era of modernism and revolutions. So how did we get an architectural style inspired from the medieval era?

Most of us forget that it was also a time of increased interest in history. This interest in history and tradition resulted in a resurrection of Gothic architecture, which was prominent in the Middle Ages but had gone out of favor during the Renaissance.

The Gothic Revival began in the mid-eighteenth century as part of the Romantic movement, which stressed sentiment, individualism, and nature’s force. In the early nineteenth century, architects and designers strove to establish a feeling of nationality and cultural coherence in the face of growing urbanization.

1. Roots of the Gothic Revival Architecture: High Church Movement and Medievalism

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The 18th and early 19th centuries were a time of change and upheaval in England, with the emergence of evangelicalism shaking up the religious landscape. But where there is change, there is often a backlash, and that’s exactly what happened with the high church movement. These folks were not about to let go of the connection between the established church and the pre-Reformation Catholic church without a fight.

Enter the Gothic Revival architecture – a unique architectural movement that became one of the high church’s most powerful weapons. The movement drew inspiration from the Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages, with its soaring arches, ribbed vaults, and intricate tracery. But it wasn’t just about copying a style – the Gothic Revival was infused with a sense of spirituality and tradition that resonated with the high church movement.

2. Politics and Gothic Revival Architecture

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The preceding architectural style that dominated the 18th and 19th centuries was the Neoclassical style, with its emphasis on order, rationality, and symmetry. This style became associated with republicanism and liberalism – two words that were not popular with the traditionalists. In contrast, the Gothic Revival architecture was seen as more spiritual and traditional, and became associated with monarchism and conservatism. This was reflected in the choice of styles for the rebuilt government centers of the British Parliament’s Palace of Westminster in London, the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, and the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest.