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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Print, Free Rothko, Oak Oak

Oak Oak

Print - 50 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$232

Sculpture, Giants, High jump in Rio, JR

JR

Sculpture - 99 x 55 x 20 cm Sculpture - 39 x 21.7 x 7.9 inch

$12,235

Photography, Afghanistan, Brian McKee

Brian McKee

Photography - 126 x 161 x 0.1 cm Photography - 49.6 x 63.4 x 0 inch

$3,670

Painting, Corn at Night, Levon Fljyan

Levon Fljyan

Painting - 45 x 45 x 2 cm Painting - 17.7 x 17.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,456

Photography, Colour Pop, Cindi Emond

Cindi Emond

Photography - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$1,468

Photography, Central Park, Nadine Track

Nadine Track

Photography - 122 x 191 cm Photography - 48 x 75.2 inch

$11,011

Print, Ayutthaya, Sophie Griotto

Sophie Griotto

Print - 90 x 90 x 3 cm Print - 35.4 x 35.4 x 1.2 inch

$721

Painting, Warm memories, DB Waterman

DB Waterman

Painting - 70 x 50 x 4 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

$1,211

Print, Lac gelé, Sophie Griotto

Sophie Griotto

Print - 100 x 85 x 3 cm Print - 39.4 x 33.5 x 1.2 inch

$721

Print, Format #660, Petr Strnad

Petr Strnad

Print - 50.8 x 38.1 x 0.1 cm Print - 20 x 15 x 0 inch

$159

Print, Portal No.9, Jane Ward

Jane Ward

Print - 60 x 60 cm Print - 23.6 x 23.6 inch

$696

Print, Réappropriation5, Kurar

Kurar

Print - 70 x 100 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.4 x 0 inch

$551

Print, Réappropriation5, Kurar

Kurar

Print - 40 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 15.7 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$208

Print, Élévation, Kurar

Kurar

Print - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Print - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$208

Print, Élévation, Kurar

Kurar

Print - 70 x 70 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0 inch

$428

Painting, Animalism 5, Kokimoto

Kokimoto

Painting - 31 x 21 x 0.1 cm Painting - 12.2 x 8.3 x 0 inch

$875

Print, Pas peur, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 80 x 140 x 4.5 cm Print - 31.5 x 55.1 x 1.8 inch

$549

Photography, Paris III, Sven Pfrommer

Sven Pfrommer

Photography - 140 x 70 x 4 cm Photography - 55.1 x 27.6 x 1.6 inch

$1,701

Print, Netflix, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 120 x 80 x 4.5 cm Print - 47.2 x 31.5 x 1.8 inch

$439

Print, B&W movie, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 90 x 140 x 4.5 cm Print - 35.4 x 55.1 x 1.8 inch

$562

Print, Saudade, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 120 x 120 x 4.5 cm Print - 47.2 x 47.2 x 1.8 inch

$598

Print, Miranda 2, Lucio Forte

Lucio Forte

Print - 29.7 x 42 x 0.1 cm Print - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

$147

Print, Clear, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 70 x 140 x 4.5 cm Print - 27.6 x 55.1 x 1.8 inch

$537

Print, Araignée, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 90 x 140 x 4.5 cm Print - 35.4 x 55.1 x 1.8 inch

$562

Print, Cap ouest, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 100 x 140 x 4.5 cm Print - 39.4 x 55.1 x 1.8 inch

$574

Print, À gauche, Philippe Matine

Philippe Matine

Print - 90 x 140 x 4.5 cm Print - 35.4 x 55.1 x 1.8 inch

$562

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