The triumvirate of Utopian Neoclassical architects, Étienne-Louis Boullée, Jean-Jacques Lequeu and Claude-Nicolas Ledoux would have an major influence on Modern architecture in the 20th Century, as well as being hailed by the Surrealists as precursors, particularly Ledoux, who held notably progressive and egalitarian ideals for his time.
The Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans was conceived by Ledoux as the first phrase in the construction of an ideal city near the forest of Chaux. Ledoux thought that luxury shouldn’t just be confined to the nobility, it should also be used in the building of a workshop or a barn. The grandiose buildings were laid out in a circle, houses for workers were palatial and the forges had Doric columns. Unfortunately, but not altogether surprisingly Ledoux had to abandon work on the Royal Saltworks in 1778 before its final completion.
This didn’t deter Ledoux from envisaging ever more audacious and grandiose projects for his ideal city though. All public buildings such as the Pacifere (Temple of Concilation), the Oikema (House of Pleasure) were based on the theory of pure forms; pyramid, cube, sphere, cylinder. Statues would be erected for the sake of their effect on perspective or the casting of shadows.
In 1784 Ledoux was selected to design the Théâtre de Besançon. Among his radical and innovative designs was the introduction of seating for all patrons, (a right previously reserved for the nobility), and the screening of musicians in the orchestra pit.
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Ledoux has been associated to the utopian socialist Charles Fourier, as his Ideal City could be considered as a model of Fourier’s phalanstery. Moreover, Ledoux worked in the region of Besançon, the town where Fourier was born.
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Now that you mention it I can see that. Probably explains why Breton likes him as well.
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The characteristics of this architecture, the grand scale of the buildings, blank walls and columns are fascinating . Most interesting background Mr. C. I hadn’t a clue about it until now. Thank you.
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My pleasure Miss Heart… very interesting ideas presented by Ledoux and the other Utopian Neoclassical architects, obsessive and like something glimpses in a dream. Now I have to find something even obscurer, will I ever make it out of the fog?
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We have neoclassical architecture in the US, none so dramatic as the design of the visionaries that you reference, the Capital Building is an example. Wonderful narrative and art. You don’t seem in a fog at all.
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The American architect Benjamin Latrobe was influenced by Boullee and Ledoux. They were very much paper architects, but what visions! You are too kind, I shall have to start inventing obscure artists soon. That actually isn’t a bad idea. The Dictionary of Imaginary Artists. See I am getting giddy.
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Splendid plan. Smiles.
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Don’t encourage me Miss Heart. It would be a big task involving the creation of schools and movements and traditions.
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A terrible burden but I think it could work.
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I have so many burdens I fancy a lie down.
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Perhaps this is a bit too ambitious. I’m sure you’ll come up with something fabulous.
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You faith in my rather sketchy abilities is much appreciated Miss Heart.
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You have yet to let us down Mr. Cake. Thank you!
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Now I have the pressure of not letting anyone down. I am a master of disappointments.
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No ones perfect, accountability is to be admired. No pressure.
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Thank you Miss Heart…I am too forgetful to really feel pressure. A moral failing maybe?
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Not a failing. Only the fortunate do not feel pressured at one time or another.
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Well if I was to be one thing in the world then I want to be lucky.
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Diligence is the mother of good luck…quote unquote.
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Is this one of your own quotes Miss Heart?
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Ben Franklin…it kind of loses something
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it is a very good quote Miss Heart. I must remember to be more diligent in future.
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Ben was probably three sheets to the wind when he said this.
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Inspired drunkenness!
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It’s rumored he enjoyed his gin, not a good idea out there discovering electricity.
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But maybe he needed it to discover electricity. He saw The invisible.
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Right you are. Perhaps without a little nip we’d be reading by candlelight.
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Which has its charm but still the world would be a very different place.
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Another magnificent architect/artist. I love the enormous spheres. Especially the farm guards house. What a leap of the imagination. A grand structure in a agrarian setting. So visionary. Love the aesthetic. A shame the ideal city didn’t come to fruition. No city planners have that sort of flair (?) any more
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It is a pity, though I think finances played a part (damn those pesky accountants). Visionary definitely, I am glad you enjoyed.
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Yes I’m sure the cost would have been astronomical. Enjoyed very much!
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Glad to entertain and inform.
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