The beginning of the 19th century is characterized by the emergence in France of an architectural and interior trend called Empire. The so-called imperial style is distinguished by luxury and solemnity, designed to emphasize the greatness of Emperor Napoleon. The organic combination of Roman antiquity, Egyptian motifs, the architectural monumentality of the interiors, the abundance of gilding and bright colors in the decoration allowed the French Empire style to exist for quite a long historical period and, with some changes, be adopted by both the Russian imperial court and bourgeois Germany. Photos of interiors of the 19th century allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of grandeur and luxury of ballrooms, living rooms, boudoirs of that time.
Style features
Empire as an architectural and interior style originated in the early 19th century with the light hand of Napoleon Bonaparte. Hewas designed to emphasize the greatness of the emperor, combining the solemnity, luxury and severity.
The basis of the Empire style is Roman antiquity with its monumental arches, columns, caryatids. Architecture and interiors of the 19th century in the imperial style are distinguished by monumentality, integrity and symmetry.
The decoration used mahogany, marble, bronze and gilding. The walls were decorated with paintings of antique scenes, bas-reliefs. Plaster moldings were used on the ceiling.
Interiors of the 19th century in the Empire style are designed in rich colors: blue, red, green, turquoise, white. They go well with an abundance of gilding and ornate decor. Pastel shades were also often used: milky, beige, lavender, pale blue, pistachio, mint.
The decoration was complemented by monumental mahogany furniture with decorative bronze overlays or gilded carvings. Animal motifs in furniture were popular: legs in the form of paws, armrests with lion heads. Napoleon's campaign in Egypt provoked a fashion for authentic paraphernalia, which subsequently influenced the French Empire, organically merging into the interior along with antique motifs. Military themes were no less popular: paintings with scenes of battles, weapons.
Walls
The walls in the interior of the 19th century of the imperial style were painted with antique scenes and exotic landscapes. Often there were bas-reliefs. Wallpaper was rarely used, mainly with a pattern in the form of monograms or strict stripes. In the bedrooms and boudoirs, the walls were draped with textiles,decorated with acanthus in the Roman style. The color scheme was dominated by bright shades: red, blue, green, and also white. They are wonderfully combined with an abundance of gilding, emphasizing the grandeur and identity of the situation.
A characteristic feature of the Empire style are columns, false columns and stucco molding in the decoration of the walls. Columns were made of marble, malachite and other ornamental stones, stucco molding was covered with gilding. Huge mirrors are an essential attribute of the interior of the 19th century. They were actively used in decor, complemented by ornate gilded frames.
Ceiling
The ceilings in Empire style interiors are always high, domed or straight. The main color is white. The ceiling was decorated with paintings and grisaille. It is difficult to imagine the interior of the 19th century in the imperial style without stucco. Gypsum rosettes, cornices, moldings and other decorations were used everywhere. Often the stucco was covered with gilding. The strict centralization of the composition and the symmetry characteristic of the Roman style can be clearly seen in the Empire style. The center of the ceiling was necessarily decorated with patterns and complemented by a magnificent hanging chandelier. Gilding and crystal harmoniously emphasized the solemn luxury of the interior.
Imperial-style lighting plays an important role. With a large area of \u200b\u200bthe room, several large symmetrically located chandeliers were often installed. In addition to them, there were wall and table candelabra in the room. Numerous lights, reflected in mirrors and gilding, created a unique atmosphere of solemnity and grandeur.
Furniture
In the interior of a 19th century house, the furniture was monumental, like a work of architectural art. Such exclusively architectural elements as columns, cornices, caryatids were used. Countertops were often made from a single piece of marble or malachite. Sofas, armchairs, couches were smooth ergonomic shapes.
Mahogany was widely used. The furniture was decorated with bronze plates, gilded carvings, legs and armrests stylized as animals. Animal motifs are clearly visible in the imperial style: the heads and paws of lions, eagle wings, snakes. Mythical creatures were also popular: griffins, sphinxes. The upholstery of couches, chairs, armchairs in the French Empire style is mostly monophonic, made in marble or leather. Round tables on one leg, sideboards for dishes and fashionable trinkets, a secretary with a shelf for books appeared in the interiors.
Decor
The decor of the 19th century is dominated by antique Roman and Egyptian motifs - columns, friezes, pilasters, ornament with acanthus leaves, sphinxes, pyramids. The era of the Napoleonic wars could not but affect the interior. Images of weapons were widely used: sabers, shields, arrows, cannons, cannonballs. The decorators of that time could not ignore the laurel wreath as a symbol of greatness. It is found everywhere.
The interior is replete with plaster statues, paintings and huge mirrors in massive gilded frames. Complex draperies on windows and walls are a characteristic feature of the Empire style. The beds were decorated with canopies. All decor in the interior of the imperial style is carefullyverified, and the same images can be found in the decoration of furniture, walls, accessories and even books.
Russian Empire style
The Russian interior of the 19th century took a lot from the French Empire, reworking and softening it. Instead of mahogany and bronze overlays on furniture, Karelian birch, ash, and maple were used. The furniture was decorated with gilded carvings. The creatures of Egyptian mythology were successfully replaced by Slavic ones. Unlike the French Empire, which elevates the personality of the emperor in the first place, the Russian paid more attention to the greatness of state power. Marble was replaced with Ural malachite, lapis lazuli and other ornamental stones.
Russian Empire gradually divided into two directions: metropolitan and provincial. Stolichny was more like French, but was softer and more plastic. An undoubted contribution to the development of the style was made by the Italian Carl Rossi. The provincial version of the Russian Empire was even more restrained, close to classicism.
Empire is a bright and majestic style in architecture and interior of the 19th century. The splendor and identity of the interiors was designed to emphasize the greatness of the emperor. Characteristic features of the imperial style are a centered composition, bright colors, an abundance of gilding, stucco, huge mirrors, antique, Egyptian, animal and military motifs.
There are opportunities to use the style of the 19th century in modern interior design. Designers can bring to life the realization of such a project using modern materials andstylized items. Luxurious Empire style can decorate any apartment, there would be a desire and opportunities.
