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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Photography, Lisbon #22 (M), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 68.6 x 139.7 cm Photography . 27 x 55 inch

€13,975

Photography, Brooklyn #1 (XL), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 228.6 x 152.4 cm Photography . 90 x 60 inch

€32,882

Photography, Brooklyn #1 (L), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 180.3 x 119.4 cm Photography . 71 x 47 inch

€21,904

Photography, Brooklyn #1 (M), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 139.7 x 94 cm Photography . 55 x 37 inch

€13,975

Photography, London #8 (XL), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 228.6 x 152.4 cm Photography . 90 x 60 inch

€32,882

Photography, London #8 (L), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 180.3 x 119.4 cm Photography . 71 x 47 inch

€21,904

Photography, London #8 (M), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 139.7 x 94 cm Photography . 55 x 37 inch

€13,975

Photography, New York #5 (XL), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 228.6 x 152.4 cm Photography . 90 x 60 inch

€32,882

Photography, New York #5 (L), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 180.3 x 119.4 cm Photography . 71 x 47 inch

€21,904

Photography, New York #5 (M), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 139.7 x 94 cm Photography . 55 x 37 inch

€13,975

Photography, London #31 (XL), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 228.6 x 152.4 cm Photography . 90 x 60 inch

€32,882

Photography, London #31 (L), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 180.3 x 119.4 cm Photography . 71 x 47 inch

€21,904

Photography, London #31 (M), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 139.7 x 94 cm Photography . 55 x 37 inch

€13,975

Photography, Lisbon #1 (XL), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 228.6 x 152.4 cm Photography . 90 x 60 inch

€32,882

Photography, Lisbon #1 (L), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 180.3 x 119.4 cm Photography . 71 x 47 inch

€21,904

Photography, Palma #11 (XL), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 228.6 x 152.4 cm Photography . 90 x 60 inch

€32,882

Photography, Palma #11 (L), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 180.3 x 119.4 cm Photography . 71 x 47 inch

€21,904

Photography, Palma #11 (M), Jacob Gils

Jacob Gils

Photography . 139.7 x 94 cm Photography . 55 x 37 inch

€13,975

Photography, The Round Tower II, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 59.5 x 46 x 0.2 cm Photography . 23.4 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

€695

Photography, Foyer IV, Milan, Richard Heeps

Richard Heeps

Photography . 78 x 63.5 x 0.1 cm Photography . 30.7 x 25 x 0 inch

€608

Photography, Fuerte N°12, Emilie Mori

Emilie Mori

Photography . 80 x 80 x 0.1 cm Photography . 31.5 x 31.5 x 0 inch

€1,100

Photography, Walden 7, Serie V, Arantza NT

Arantza NT

Photography . 45 x 30 x 0.1 cm Photography . 17.7 x 11.8 x 0 inch

€200

Photography, Tunnel, Feng Hatat

Feng Hatat

Photography . 30 x 45 x 1 cm Photography . 11.8 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch

€600

Photography, The Horseman, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 100 x 70 x 1.2 cm Photography . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.5 inch

€685

Photography, The Round Tower, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 100 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

€685

Photography, Riflemaker, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 70 x 90.5 x 0.2 cm Photography . 27.6 x 35.6 x 0.1 inch

€695

Photography, 22 Bishopsgate, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 100 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

€685

Photography, The Watchtower, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 100 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

€675

Photography, Hotel Europe, Jonathan Dy

Jonathan Dy

Photography . 20 x 26.57 cm Photography . 7.9 x 10.5 inch

€250

Photography, New Orleans, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 100 x 70 x 0.2 cm Photography . 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

€695

Photography, Cityscapes I, Mark Elst

Mark Elst

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

€350

Photography, Bonito, François Passerini

François Passerini

Photography . 40 x 60 x 1 cm Photography . 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch

€650

Print, Arles, Jean-Philippe Henric

Jean-Philippe Henric

Print . 90 x 90 x 0.2 cm Print . 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.1 inch

€429

Photography, Coconut latte, Danielle Louise

Danielle Louise

Photography . 85.09 x 62.23 x 3 cm Photography . 33.5 x 24.5 x 1.2 inch

€1,800

Photography, Merano - London, Guy Sargent

Guy Sargent

Photography . 48 x 68 x 0.2 cm Photography . 18.9 x 26.8 x 0.1 inch

€395

Photography, Engrenages, Gina Soden

Gina Soden

Photography . 44.64 x 64.96 x 0.1 cm Photography . 17.6 x 25.6 x 0 inch

€1,460