3.2 German Neoclassicism - Biedermeier & 3.3 American Neoclassicism - Federal and Greek Revival

Biedermeier period

refers to an era in Central Europe between 1815 and 1848, during which the middle class grew in number, and arts appealed to common sensibilities.

Biedermeier Architecture

• Clean lines, simplicity, and elegance

• combination of simplicity and functionality had an important influence on later design movements such as Art Nouveau and the influential Bauhaus Design School, the melting pot of 20th-century architecture. 

Biedermeier Interiors

• The aristocratic "salon" was replaced by the "living room,"

• " Small pieces of furniture, low ceilings, geraniums, pets, and cages with canaries, flower wallpaper, round shapes, and warm fabrics are all characteristic elements of the style.

Biedermeire Furniture

• light, native woods and avoided metal ornamentation.

• restrained geometric appearance.

American Federal Architecture

• slenderer proportions, classical decoration, color contrasts, and geometric forms, emphasizing straight lines and geometric curves. 

• follow the styles of Robert Adam but are simpler and with fewer colors.