Pseudo-Russian style, its characteristic features and development features

Pseudo-Russian style is an architectural trend in Russia in the 19-20 centuries. The dominant elements here are the traditions of architecture and folk art. It includes several subgroups, including the Russian-Byzantine and Neo-Russian directions.

In the pseudo-Russian style, there are many elements borrowed from European architecture and culture. It can be said that only creative motives are national. That's why the style has such a name.

Occurrence

In the middle of the 19th century, when the fashion for national motives and trends begins, many artists and architects of Russia make the decision to create a certain "alloy" of old folk forms, but do not sacrifice modern (for that period) achievements. So there is a pseudo-Russian style. It is intended to revive the national creativity of Russia, to use it not only in small toys, handicraft activities or, for example, furniture, but also in larger projects.

In fact, the pseudo-Russian style does not exist as such. This name is conditional. It unites several currents, sometimes with conflicting motives. Therefore today there is a certain confusion, when architects unite two completely different in their forms, lines and decor of the building into one pseudo-Russian style.

The most important difference is stylization. Pseudo-Russian style is so flexible that it can be combined with other architectural trends, including modernism and romanticism.

Development

Pseudo-Russian style includes several currents. They appeared as it developed:

1. Russian-Byzantine. Emerged in the 1830s, this style was widely practiced in the construction of religious Christian buildings (the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Ascension Cathedral, the Grand Kremlin Palace).
2. Romanticism and Slavophilism. In fact, the style that appeared a little later than the previous one, has no name. But it affected the listed architectural trends. A vivid example is the Pogodin hut.
3. Ropetovshchina. The direction appears in the 1870s, it is oversaturated with folk culture and peasant architecture (Terem, Mamontov Printing House). It is this current that has become widespread because of the propaganda of the famous critic Stasov.
4. Official. Pot-bellied columns, frescoes with national ornaments, low ceilings in the form of arches - these are all characteristic features of the direction. Preference is also given to traditions and folk art. Examples - The upper shopping arcade, the building of the Historical Museum.
5. Neorussian. It appears in the early 20th century. Architects tend to monumental simplicity, so they combine elements of ancient monuments and traditions of northern architecture. Many people notice a resemblance to modernity (the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands).

Recently, historians have separated the Neo-Russian style from the pseudo-Russian, viewing it as an independent architectural trend. But there are those who unite them. The buildings of the pseudo-Russian style are widely distributed throughout the country, including the most remote regions.

Features of appearance

As in any other country, in Russia there was a period of borrowing. Various motives and trends were adopted from Europe, the eastern states and the West. And the time has come for a shortage of national elements. Therefore, the pseudo-Russian style in Russia, as well as its appearance, can be considered logical.

Features of this architectural direction are in many respects. The predominant colors are beige, white and red.

You can note the ability of the style to merge. There were no clear distinctions. It was easily combined with many other styles, for example gothic, pseudo-gothic or modern.

Character traits

The pseudo-Russian style in architecture has its differences, by which it is determined. Characteristic features can be viewed in the table.

Very often in the construction of roof décor in the form of a twisting cockerel or flag was used.

Many buildings in Russia, which have survived to the present day, are suitable for describing and characterizing the pseudo-Russian style.

Conclusion

At the beginning of the 20th century, the pseudo-Russian style and the desire for proper construction gradually began to fade. The facades of many buildings with all the turrets, a high roof, frequent small windows cease to be suitable for architectural and administrative purposes of buildings.

For example, the large halls in the Duma, erected during the dominance of the direction, are already being built using new achievements in both architecture and technology (the use of equipment, large machines). The needs of modern buildings do not match the pseudo-Russian style. The architecture assignments are updated. And the style goes into the past, leaving behind a lot of monuments and unique buildings.