Classicism in Copenhagen: Architecture in the age of C.F. Hansen

by claus-m-smidt-hanne-raabyemagle

Architecture in Copenhagen during the last 50 years of the Absolute Monarchy coincides with the flourishing cultural epoch now known by the evocative name.. the Golden Age. Nevertheless we use the term neo-Classicism, or simply Classicism, for the particular style of architecture that reached its peak in this period.

It was the peak in quality because outstanding architects made their mark of the city.. from C.F. Harsdorff's Amalienborg Colonnade to Gottlieb Bindesoll's Thorvaldsens Museum.

It was also an artistic peak because the genius of C.F. Hansen raised the architecture to highest international stature through such magnificent buildings as Christiansborg palace and the Royal Chapel, the Town Hall and Courthouses on Nytorv and Vor Frue Kirke (The Church of Our Lady).

And it wasa peak in scope, since a series of great fires... in 1794, 1795 and 1807.. led to a veritable building boom during which architects together with a large group of Academy-trained master craftsmen gave the city an entirely new face.. the face of Classical Copenhagen.

218 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1998