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!

Read more
Painting, Venice Canal, Ivan Pylypenko

Ivan Pylypenko

Painting . 55 x 80 x 2 cm Painting . 21.7 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

CHF 1,427

Print, Duck Yellow, Wayne Danza

Wayne Danza

Print . 50 x 70 x 3 cm Print . 19.7 x 27.6 x 1.2 inch

CHF 389

Painting, Three chords, Procach Olesia

Procach Olesia

Painting . 80 x 80 x 2 cm Painting . 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch

CHF 530

Painting, Autumn mood, Procach Olesia

Procach Olesia

Painting . 58 x 58 x 2 cm Painting . 22.8 x 22.8 x 0.8 inch

CHF 676

Photography, Scottsdale Home, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76.2 x 101.6 cm Photography . 30 x 40 inch

CHF 3,503

Painting, Gold Mill, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 45.7 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 18 x 16 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,159

Painting, Horse Barn, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,382

Painting, Whatville, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,382

Painting, Barn in Red, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 43.2 x 45.7 x 0.5 cm Painting . 17 x 18 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,283

Painting, Red,, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,382

Painting, Boodle Mill, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,382

Painting, Three Sheds, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,382

Painting, Abandoned, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,355

Painting, Sunset, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 30.5 x 40.6 x 0.5 cm Painting . 12 x 16 x 0.2 inch

CHF 820

Photography, Poolside Ladies, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76 x 101 cm Photography . 29.9 x 39.8 inch

CHF 3,503

Photography, Groom, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

Photography . 40 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

CHF 156

Painting, Bus Stop, Catherine Clare

Catherine Clare

Painting . 50 x 65 x 0.1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 25.6 x 0 inch

CHF 1,216

Photography, Cocktail Hour, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 76 x 101 cm Photography . 29.9 x 39.8 inch

CHF 3,503

Photography, Poolside Style, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 51 x 76 cm Photography . 20.1 x 29.9 inch

CHF 3,260

Photography, Poolside Social, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 41 x 51 cm Photography . 16.1 x 20.1 inch

CHF 2,481

Photography, Poolside Chat, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 41 x 51 cm Photography . 16.1 x 20.1 inch

CHF 2,481

Photography, C. Z. Guest, Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Photography . 101 x 76 cm Photography . 39.8 x 29.9 inch

CHF 3,503

Painting, The abbey, Marco Araldi

Marco Araldi

Painting . 81 x 61 x 4 cm Painting . 31.9 x 24 x 1.6 inch

CHF 3,071

Painting, Tolède, Jacques Coquillay

Jacques Coquillay

Painting . 65 x 65 x 0.5 cm Painting . 25.6 x 25.6 x 0.2 inch

CHF 2,725

Painting, Three Sheds, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,382

Painting, Abandoned, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 0.5 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 0.2 inch

CHF 1,355

Fine Art Drawings, Provencale No. 17, Pascal Plazanet

Pascal Plazanet

Fine Art Drawings . 29.5 x 42 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings . 11.6 x 16.5 x 0 inch

CHF 1,362