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, Dream City, Procach Olesia

Procach Olesia

Painting . 110 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 43.3 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch

€1,245

Painting, Counting, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

Painting . 100 x 100 x 2 cm Painting . 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

€3,200

Painting, Red roofs 22, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Painting . 121.9 x 76.2 x 5.1 cm Painting . 48 x 30 x 2 inch

€805

Painting, Mystitown Öl, Lubov Jelev

Lubov Jelev

Painting . 60 x 120 x 4 cm Painting . 23.6 x 47.2 x 1.6 inch

€4,900

Painting, Overlay, Stanislav Lazarov

Stanislav Lazarov

Painting . 76 x 100 x 2 cm Painting . 29.9 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

€1,590

Painting, Warm stones, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

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

€3,520

Painting, San Telmo, Jorge Luis Alio

Jorge Luis Alio

Painting . 34 x 26 x 0.5 cm Painting . 13.4 x 10.2 x 0.2 inch

€600

Painting, Marawa, Yoann Merienne

Yoann Merienne

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

€3,200

Painting, Red Roofs, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 47 x 66 x 3 cm Painting . 18.5 x 26 x 1.2 inch

€1,266

Painting, Central Park, Vianney

Vianney

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

€3,250

Painting, Blue, Helen Uter

Helen Uter

Painting . 116 x 89 x 2.5 cm Painting . 45.7 x 35 x 1 inch

€3,500

Painting, Pont Wilson, Paul Ward

Paul Ward

Painting . 40.6 x 30 x 5.1 cm Painting . 16 x 11.8 x 2 inch

€1,925

Painting, Shadow, Galya Popova

Galya Popova

Painting . 70 x 120 x 2 cm Painting . 27.6 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

€3,040

Painting, Tall City 3, Brian Elwell

Brian Elwell

Painting . 89 x 53 x 1 cm Painting . 35 x 20.9 x 0.4 inch

€2,171

Painting, Urban Symphony, Mykola Bodnar

Mykola Bodnar

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

€1,300

Painting, Dubrovnik, Alexander Shandor

Alexander Shandor

Painting . 90 x 90 x 2 cm Painting . 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

€9,040

Painting, 5h46, Nushka

Nushka

Painting . 100 x 150 x 2 cm Painting . 39.4 x 59.1 x 0.8 inch

€5,900

Painting, Spring at home, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

Painting . 50 x 70 x 2 cm Painting . 19.7 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch

€800

Painting, Home sweet home, Pol Ledent

Pol Ledent

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

€800

Painting, The houses, Claude Decamps

Claude Decamps

Painting . 25 x 20 x 0.1 cm Painting . 9.8 x 7.9 x 0 inch

€340

Painting, Paysage Lot, Michel Jamet

Michel Jamet

Painting . 55 x 65 x 2 cm Painting . 21.7 x 25.6 x 0.8 inch

€875

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