Empire is an interesting architectural style. It is also called Napoleon style. And also imperial or imperial style. After all, the word "Empire" comes from the French empire ("empire").
The style is characterized by opulence of decor and imitation of ancient buildings.
Many decorative elements in the Empire style are presented on our site - in the format of 3d stl models, for manufacturing on CNC machines. With the use of elements of this style can get interesting modern interiors.
But, let's talk about everything in order.
History of the origin of the style:
Empire style first appeared in imperial France, back in the early 19th century, around the time of the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte.
It was at this time that France became an empire.
The history of the origin of the style was connected with the boundless ambitions of this great ruler, dictator, commander. He wanted to show the invincible imperial greatness of France and get away from classicism, which dominated the country before the revolution.
The style was largely formed under the influence of the architecture of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. But differed significantly from the classicism and neoclassicism of the Enlightenment. Napoleon and his court-architects created a unique artistic style. The art forms of imperial Rome were taken as a model. Napoleon wanted to show the splendor of the French Empire, to emphasize the triumphant grandeur, to show parade, military, triumphal art. In contrast to the soft and smooth classicism empire was more rigid, cold, sharp, which met the spirit of the era.
Empire was called a loud style, a little scandalous, unexpected.
It is worth naming two key names: Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine. It was these architects, realizing the wishes of Napoleon, who formed the Empire style. And it was they who designed new furniture and new decoration of the interior of the palace chambers, they invented ornaments in the Empire style.
The most famous architectural structure erected during the Empire is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, whose architect (Bove) was inspired by the Arch of Titus, erected in Rome in honor of the capture of Jerusalem.
Later, the Empire style passed on to both clothing and tableware. It was adopted and began to be used by furniture makers, decorators, jewelers, painters, and molders. It became a fashionable trend of the time.
Gradually Empire came to other countries in Europe. Its branch was also in Russia - the so-called Russian Empire or Alexandrovsky classicism, popular in the time of Alexander I. St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg and the Alexander Column were built in these times. As well as the Mikhailovsky Palace and the Alexandrinsky Theater. By the way, another distant relative of the French Empire was Stalin's Empire, which emerged in the 30s of the 20th century!
The style is called the last of the "royal", then appeared already mostly strict neostyli, eclecticism.
Features of the style:
- Abundance of columns, moldings, cornices and pilasters,
- The presence of military emblems - armor, weapons, laurel wreaths,
- Contrasting bright colors - bright red, green, blue, white,
- A lot of gold,
- A lot of decorative details, clearly distinguished into filling elements and ornamental, framing,
- Bright silk on the walls,
- Ornaments - in addition to military decor dominated circles, rhombuses, lush borders, stars, Egyptian ornaments.
Ornaments in the Empire style:
The main objective of the new ornamentation was to assert the power of the empire.
Hence: pompousness, strict symmetry, a certain rhythm, orderliness and even a kind of program (as if a line of soldiers ornament is not chaotically superimposed, and showed a certain immutable military order).
The clear design of ornaments necessarily entered into circles, in squares, in stripes.
Plant elements in the Empire used less than in classicism.
Another distinctive feature of the ornament of those years - the contrast of its color on a monotonous background. But the background is always noticeable, bright, no subdued and delicate colors.
The main coloristics included gold, deep blue and red purple (again traces the analogy with the military uniforms). And it was in such colors that the throne room and the apartments of the residents were decorated.
Key elements of Empire ornament:
- Greek and Roman motifs: wattles, rosettes, laurel wreaths, foliage motifs, acanthus, palmette, lotuses are very popular
- strict geometric shapes: circles, ovals, squares, rhombuses, square spirals
- Egyptian motifs
Separately it is worth saying about acanthus in the Empire. Here he is not as lush as in the Baroque. He is rather flat, clear. Often between neighboring acanthus was inscribed with the circle of the rosette.
The rosette in the Empire is absolutely flat and clear. The form is more simple, close to the daisy flower, with slight variations.
Garlands and wreaths - represented the leaves of the duma or laurel, ordered and dense (leaves pressed firmly against each other).
Meander - another ornament used in the Empire style. It represents a broken line at right angles, resembling a swastika. It was used most often in the form of a double meander or in the form of an ornamental belt.
Golden Bee - symbol of French independence, which Napoleon considered his sign.
Military attributes - include shields, helmets, quivers, bows with arrows, swords, banners, axelbants, and axes.
The capital letter N and the imperial eagle with lightning bolt are Napoleon's personal emblems.
Ribbons - the only plastic element found in the rigid strict and geometric ornament Empire. They intertwine wreaths, garlands, military paraphernalia and banners.
Zoomorphic elements of Empire are either an eagle (and its wings, for example, instead of armrests), or a lion (or the clawed paw of a lion, which often decorated the legs of chairs or lamps), as well as a swan (as a symbol of the beautiful Josephine, Napoleon's first wife).
Other details of the style, modern Empire:
In some cases, modern interiors are decorated in the Empire style.
The walls are usually made monochrome, matte.
Protruding elements are decorated with columns and moldings.
The ceiling in the Empire style is usually opulent, solemn, assumes the presence of decorative overlays in the form of stucco, in the center - bulky three-story chandeliers of crystal and ceiling rosettes, accentuating the attention.
The floor is most often a complex mosaic parquet with a pattern in the form of ornaments.
On the walls are often placed huge mirrors in beautiful carved frames with ornaments style, or paintings.
Furniture is chosen mainly that is made in the antique tradition. It can be low tables on 1 massive leg. Oval or round dining tables. Massive armchairs, chairs and sofas. Appropriate legs for furniture in the form of paws of mythical creatures.
Manufacturing of products in the Empire style on CNC machines:
In order to make a product in the Empire style today you can use CNC machines. They will help to create high-quality and unusual items with beautiful carved ornaments in any style and from different materials (wood, stone, marble, etc., depending on the features of your equipment).
Products and ornaments in the Empire style and other common styles are presented on our site in 3d stl.
A huge catalog of 3d models will allow you to choose the most suitable decor. Also you can always contact us with drawings or sketches and we will produce a model of your order!
The excellent quality of models will ensure fast and flawless production of products and decor.
Favorable prices and discounts to regular customers - will make cooperation with us the most attractive.
Call or leave requests on the site. In the near future we will contact you.
You may also be interested in the articles:
- Provence in the interior: 3d models for CNC
- Columns, pilasters, pillars, half-pillars on a CNC machine
- 3d stl models of furniture
