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!

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Painting, Drying Rice III, Lexi Caiqin

Lexi Caiqin

Painting . 80 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 31.5 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

£8,433

Painting, Village du Sud, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

£533

Photography, Ciel 4, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 70 x 100 x 2 cm Photography . 27.6 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

£2,219

Photography, Smart, Rodrigo

Rodrigo

Photography . 26.7 x 35.6 x 0.1 cm Photography . 10.5 x 14 x 0 inch

£1,153

Painting, Village de campagne 2, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 50 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 19.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

£533

Painting, Village 102, Xiu

Xiu

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

£533

Painting, Paris + vert., ARySQUE

ARySQUE

Painting . 20 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

£266

Photography, Havana pool, Barry Cawston

Barry Cawston

Photography . 100 x 120 x 2 cm Photography . 39.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

£3,179

Photography, Nos Pyjamas, Tanguy Mendrisse

Tanguy Mendrisse

Photography . 40 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 23.6 x 0 inch

£240

Painting, Resol Veneciano, M. Muro

M. Muro

Painting . 40 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

£2,308

Painting, Bosque de columnas, M. Muro

M. Muro

Painting . 40 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

£2,663

Painting, Sainte-Foy, Nigel Bailey

Nigel Bailey

Painting . 40.3 x 51 x 0.5 cm Painting . 15.9 x 20.1 x 0.2 inch

£910

Painting, Calvary, Yevgeniya Kramska

Yevgeniya Kramska

Painting . 80 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

£569

Painting, Urban bridge, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

£533

Photography, Portal, Yoland Rafougilet

Yoland Rafougilet

Photography . 60 x 40 x 2 cm Photography . 23.6 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

£408

Painting, Venetian Reds, Alex Bertaina

Alex Bertaina

Painting . 73 x 92 x 4 cm Painting . 28.7 x 36.2 x 1.6 inch

£2,673

Print, Untitled, Franco Fortunato

Franco Fortunato

Print . 35 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print . 13.8 x 19.7 x 0 inch

£231

Painting, Happy Days, Vianney

Vianney

Painting . 120 x 120 x 2 cm Painting . 47.2 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

£4,882

Painting, Marina, Sola Puig

Sola Puig

Painting . 33 x 65 x 2 cm Painting . 13 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch

£1,953

Painting, Farmyard, Milan Laciak

Milan Laciak

Painting . 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting . 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

£821

Print, Olsztyn, Rafal Olbinski

Rafal Olbinski

Print . 23 x 17 cm Print . 9.1 x 6.7 inch

£444