Symbolization in premodern architecture

Premodern Western architecture, from the Renaissance to the late 18th century, exhibits two dominant forms of symbolization: denotation (figurative decoration) and exemplification (pure geometric or mass effects). A key insight is that the Rococo period (c. 1720–1780) uniquely bridged architectural ornamentation with other art forms, a tradition disrupted by French 'revolutionary architects' like Boullée and Ledoux around 1780, who prioritized compositional isolation and geometric abstraction—an approach that foreshadowed modernism. The study applies Goodman’s conceptual framework to analyze iconic buildings, including Neuschwanstein, the Trevi Fountain, and the Crystal Palace, revealing how symbolization evolved from ornate, context-rich designs to more abstract, isolated forms.

Lægring, K. (2024). Symbolization in premodern architecture. Nelson Goodman and Modern Architecture, 61–77. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003323617-3