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, Gold Mill, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

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

€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

€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

€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

€1,284

Painting, Red,, Richard Szkutnik

Richard Szkutnik

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

€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

€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

€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

€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

€820

Painting, Colosseum #7, John Ferry

John Ferry

Painting . 33.02 x 210.82 x 0.1 cm Painting . 13 x 83 x 0 inch

€1,760

Painting, Carousel, Simon Kozhin

Simon Kozhin

Painting . 20 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 7.9 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€2,800

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

€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

€1,355

Painting, Empire State, Alain Bertrand

Alain Bertrand

Painting . 130 x 97 x 3 cm Painting . 51.2 x 38.2 x 1.2 inch

€10,400

Painting, Brooklyn, M. Muro

M. Muro

Painting . 60 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 23.6 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€2,600

Painting, Rincón Kioto, M. Muro

M. Muro

Painting . 40 x 60 x 3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

€3,000

Painting, Times Square, M. Muro

M. Muro

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

€2,600

Painting, Entrave, Clotaire Lehoux

Clotaire Lehoux

Painting . 200 x 140 x 2 cm Painting . 78.7 x 55.1 x 0.8 inch

€4,000

Fine Art Drawings, Merchant House, Alla Kechedzhan

Alla Kechedzhan

Fine Art Drawings . 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€4,500

Painting, Three chords, Procach Olesia

Procach Olesia

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

€545

Painting, Harvest, Boris Serdyuk

Boris Serdyuk

Painting . 45 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 17.7 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

€355

Painting, Alpine motif, Nadezda Stupina

Nadezda Stupina

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

€1,080

Painting, Nyhavn 17, Nadezda Stupina

Nadezda Stupina

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

€1,700

Painting, Gion (Japon), M. Muro

M. Muro

Painting . 60 x 40 x 3 cm Painting . 23.6 x 15.7 x 1.2 inch

€2,600