For more than 250 years, the tradition of Beaux-Arts
led French architecture. “The fine arts”
refers to the aesthetic principles of the Ecole des
Beaux-Arts in France. Here, the study of Greek and
Roman structures was emphasized, and typically featured
heavy stone, Baroque details, grand staircases, paired
columns with plinths, grand arched front doors with
medallions and swags and an overall emphasis on symmetry.
The Mansard roofs tend to be steeply-pitched and hipped.
Americans who studied at the Ecole naturally brought
its influence to bear on their designs. Earliest US
designs utilizing Beaux-Arts ideas were huge public
buildings like the Library of Congress. Later, the
style became more subdued and was used for many homes
of the wealthy. Our most famous Beaux-Arts architect,
and the first Denver Architect to train at Ecole des
Beaux-Arts, was Jules Jacques Benois Benedict, whose
designs can be seen throughout the city.
J.J.B. Benedict was very flamboyant and designed
some of the grandest homes in Denver. It was said
that Benedict was so fastidious about his designs
that he was known to arrive on a construction site
and IF he was not satisfied with the quality of the
work he would demolish the piece with a cane that
he carried regularly. |
