Architecture
Art and architecture share many similarities. They've influenced one another throughout history. However, trying to liken these two disciplines will inevitably lead to certain contractions.
Perhaps the biggest difference is that Art, in its broadest sense, is defined as a creation meant to trigger an emotional response which is generally related to aesthetic pleasure. It doesn't satisfy any of life's basic needs, but it leads to thoughts, reflections, and often taps into our subconscious and our memory. On the other hand, architecture's primary purpose is to shelter individuals and ensure their safety. Architecture is meant to serve a utilitarian purpose.
Today, architecture has gone far beyond this initial function. Architects have strived to combine engineering and aesthetic research to create buildings that are so out of the ordinary we wonder how they were designed. They want their creations to stand out and favour originality and creativity. Just like in arts, architecture is influenced by the historical, social, and political context of the time and each movement has its own characteristics, from baroque to futurism to Bauhaus. Modern architecture marked a turn in the history of architecture. Architects revolutionised the social scope of their discipline and took an industrialist approach to society and nature — avant-garde architects rubbed shoulders with artists such as Georges Braque, Piet Mondrian, and members of the De Stijl group. Le Corbusier is a pioneer in collective housing, and also took part in ambitious projects which aimed to rebuild entire cities, such as Chandigarh in India. Decorative arts also developed by taking inspiration from the conventions that governed modernist architecture.
Contemporary architecture might not be a specific movement per se, but buildings that fall into this category share certain attributes. Contemporary architecture is characterised by curvy lines and various volumes in a single structure, as seen with the Sydney Opera House. The architect Jørn Utzon explained that he didn't seek to create a building for this project, but an actual sculpture. The building continually renews itself with new meanings and experiences for each passerby. Architectural works often require periods of deep reflection and a long though process in order for the architect to envisage how to give their building a sense of character and soul.
Whether architecture is an art or not is a never ending debate, but it is undeniable that there are strong links between the two disciplines. There are many examples of collaborations between contemporary artists and architects, and today the works of the greatest architects are exhibited in museums along with their fellow artists.
Discover our selections of artworks inspired by art and architecture!
Ernest Pignon-Ernest
Fine Art Drawings . 36 x 40 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.2 x 15.7 inch
CHF 17,337
Recommended by Artsper
Ernest Pignon-Ernest
Fine Art Drawings . 20 x 15 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 7.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inch
CHF 11,558
Camille Hilaire
Fine Art Drawings . 16 x 10.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 6.3 x 4.1 inch
CHF 771
Recommended by Artsper
Camille Hilaire
Print . 51 x 37 x 0.1 cm Print . 20.1 x 14.6 x 0 inch
CHF 193
Recommended by Artsper
Camille Hilaire
Fine Art Drawings . 16.5 x 12.6 cm Fine Art Drawings . 6.5 x 5 inch
CHF 771
Recommended by Artsper
Agnès Tiollier
Fine Art Drawings . 59.5 x 83.5 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 23.4 x 32.9 x 0.1 inch
CHF 1,204
Agnès Tiollier
Design . 150 x 150 x 6 cm Design . 59.1 x 59.1 x 2.4 inch
CHF 4,142
Recommended by Artsper
Agnès Tiollier
Fine Art Drawings . 100 x 70 x 0.25 cm Fine Art Drawings . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch
CHF 1,541
Recommended by Artsper
Agnès Tiollier
Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 50 x 1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
CHF 771
Agnès Tiollier
Fine Art Drawings . 59 x 84.5 x 0.25 cm Fine Art Drawings . 23.2 x 33.3 x 0.1 inch
CHF 1,300
Agnès Tiollier
Fine Art Drawings . 80 x 60 x 0.15 cm Fine Art Drawings . 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch
CHF 1,252
Agnès Tiollier
Fine Art Drawings . 48 x 68 x 0.18 cm Fine Art Drawings . 18.9 x 26.8 x 0.1 inch
CHF 771
Yves Brayer
Painting . 31 x 23 x 0.1 cm Painting . 12.2 x 9.1 x 0 inch
CHF 1,348
Recommended by Artsper
Yves Brayer
Fine Art Drawings . 24 x 18.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 9.4 x 7.3 x 0.1 inch
CHF 828
Recommended by Artsper
Yves Brayer
Fine Art Drawings . 20.5 x 29.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 8.1 x 11.6 inch
CHF 482
Recommended by Artsper
Yves Brayer
Fine Art Drawings . 30.5 x 23.5 cm Fine Art Drawings . 12 x 9.3 inch
CHF 289
Recommended by Artsper
Philippe Cognée
Painting . 120 x 80 x 2 cm Painting . 47.2 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 2,697
Recommended by Artsper
Philippe Cognée
Painting . 65 x 92 x 5 cm Painting . 25.6 x 36.2 x 2 inch
CHF 21,190
Recommended by Artsper
Philippe Cognée
Sculpture . 20 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm Sculpture . 7.9 x 6.5 x 1 inch
CHF 1,926
Recommended by Artsper
Philippe Cognée
Fine Art Drawings . 36.5 x 29 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 14.4 x 11.4 x 0 inch
CHF 2,215
Philippe Cognée
Painting . 57.5 x 76 cm Painting . 22.6 x 29.9 inch
CHF 8,187
Recommended by Artsper
Sasha Robinson
Painting . 80 x 80 x 3 cm Painting . 31.5 x 31.5 x 1.2 inch
CHF 1,156
Recommended by Artsper
Sasha Robinson
Fine Art Drawings . 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 337
Sasha Robinson
Fine Art Drawings . 50 x 32.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 19.7 x 12.8 x 0 inch
CHF 482
Sasha Robinson
Fine Art Drawings . 100 x 70 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0 inch
CHF 1,252
Sasha Robinson
Fine Art Drawings . 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 337
Pascal Marlin
Painting . 51 x 39 x 0.3 cm Painting . 20.1 x 15.4 x 0.1 inch
CHF 385
Recommended by Artsper
Pascal Marlin
Painting . 94 x 66 x 0.1 cm Painting . 37 x 26 x 0 inch
CHF 1,060
Recommended by Artsper
Pascal Marlin
Painting . 100 x 80 x 2 cm Painting . 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,926
Recommended by Artsper
Sumit Mehndiratta
Painting . 81 x 117 x 1 cm Painting . 31.9 x 46.1 x 0.4 inch
CHF 771
Recommended by Artsper
Sumit Mehndiratta
Painting . 91 x 122 x 0.1 cm Painting . 35.8 x 48 x 0 inch
CHF 1,637
Recommended by Artsper
Sumit Mehndiratta
Fine Art Drawings . 76 x 56 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 29.9 x 22 x 0 inch
CHF 867
Sumit Mehndiratta
Fine Art Drawings . 61 x 46 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 24 x 18.1 x 0 inch
CHF 385
Sumit Mehndiratta
Print . 100 x 100 x 0.1 cm Print . 39.4 x 39.4 x 0 inch
CHF 963
Recommended by Artsper
Sumit Mehndiratta
Sculpture . 84 x 84 x 4 cm Sculpture . 33.1 x 33.1 x 1.6 inch
CHF 963
Recommended by Artsper
Sumit Mehndiratta
Fine Art Drawings . 76 x 56 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 29.9 x 22 x 0 inch
CHF 857
Sumit Mehndiratta
Fine Art Drawings . 76 x 56 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 29.9 x 22 x 0 inch
CHF 771
Recommended by Artsper
Galya Popova
Painting . 70 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 27.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
CHF 2,003
Recommended by Artsper
Galya Popova
Fine Art Drawings . 100 x 70 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0 inch
CHF 1,637
Galya Popova
Fine Art Drawings . 90 x 70 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 35.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch
CHF 1,637
Galya Popova
Painting . 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting . 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch
CHF 616
Recommended by Artsper
Galya Popova
Fine Art Drawings . 100 x 70 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0 inch
CHF 1,637
Galya Popova
Painting . 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch
CHF 925
Recommended by Artsper
Galya Popova
Painting . 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch
CHF 1,387
Recommended by Artsper
Isabelle Hirtzig
Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
CHF 207
Isabelle Hirtzig
Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
CHF 188
Isabelle Hirtzig
Painting . 65 x 50 x 0.1 cm Painting . 25.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 207
Recommended by Artsper
Isabelle Hirtzig
Design . 42 x 30 x 0.1 cm Design . 16.5 x 11.8 x 0 inch
CHF 207
Recommended by Artsper
Isabelle Hirtzig
Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
CHF 240
Isabelle Hirtzig
Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch
CHF 169
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 60 x 40 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 23.6 x 15.7 x 0 inch
CHF 385
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 1,637
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 70 x 100 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 27.6 x 39.4 x 0 inch
CHF 1,926
Recommended by Artsper
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 150 x 80 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 59.1 x 31.5 x 0 inch
CHF 2,890
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 1,445
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 150 x 80 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 59.1 x 31.5 x 0 inch
CHF 2,890
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 150 x 80 x 0.01 cm Fine Art Drawings . 59.1 x 31.5 x 0 inch
CHF 2,890
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 674
Recommended by Artsper
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 65 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 25.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 578
Pauline Di Valentin
Fine Art Drawings . 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
CHF 1,637
