Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève: History and significance

Hazal Emre

History of World Architecture

Genevieve Library/Revised

Genevieve Library in the place du Pantheon, Paris, was designed in 1843 by Henri Labrouste (1801 -- 1875) and built between 1844 and 1851. This building is of great significance because it encompasses and represents several important political, social, artistic, philosophical and historical movements. The designer's personal and contemporary beliefs regarding the above mentioned humanistic elements are clearly manifested through the design and construction of the building, thus resulting in an innovative and revolutionary build possessing attributes which are unique, functional and impressive. Specifically, the uses of exposed Iron and natural illumination in conjunction with pragmatic methods of construction emphasize the designer's philosophical beliefs regarding architecture and art.

Henrin Labrouste was heavily involved in the romantic arts movements as it pertains to architecture. He is part of a group known as the "gang of four" which also included; Felix Duban, Joseph-Louis Duc and Leon Vaudoyer. This group of architects and designers worked within a romantic movement that challenged prior notions of classical architecture. It is however difficult to find a clear and undisputable parallel between the romantics movements in literature and art with that of romantic architecture. As Martin Bressani points out "For the untrained eye the architectural work of the group might seem reserved and academic, particularly when compared to the romantic works of romantic poets or painters" (Bressani 4). Although it is difficult to find commonalities between romantic architecture and romantics arts and literature, connections do exist. In order to find these connections one must identify and understand theories associated with romanticism and how these play out and manifest themselves in the actual construction of buildings designed by romantic architects like Henrin Labrouste.

The St. Genevieve Library can be considered a cross breed between neo- Renaissance and Rationalist architecture. It resembles neo-Renaissance through its decorative details; it mirrors Rationalistic architecture through stimulating internal organization and functionality in the design. The design of the Geneveve Lirbrairy is both innovatie and simple, thanks to its decorative details it alludes to prior periods of design and architecture. Due to its use of Iron, open and natural illumination as well as its relatively simple geometrical and funtional design it is ground breaking for its time. Architects of the time period found it difficult to incorporate the philosophy of romanticism into their works. Lawrence S. Cunningham confirms this by stating following "neither romanticism nor its realistic vision made much impression on the architectural styles in the ninteeth-century France. French Architects retained a fondness for classical forms and abondoned them only to revive the styles of the rennaissance"(Cunningham 448).

It is within this mixture of styles and movements that the design of the library of Genevieve can be interpreted and understood. This is specially true when considering it's use exposed iron and natural illumination along with the representative relation that the design shows between the actual books in the librairy and structure that emcopasses them. The library is designed and built in such a way that qualities of the romantic movement are not obvious, but they are nevertheless present, they are can be metaphorically and symbolically understood. Although Labrouse appreciated some of the architecural elements present in classical and rennissance buildings, he did not approve of the philosophical and articstic ideas which they stood for. David Watkins corroborates this opinion when he states the following "The unusual demonstration of function in the facade is obviously related to Labrouste's belief that a building is a framework for human activity rather than an ideal beautity of the classical orders" (Watkin 446). Simplicity and function beneficial for human activity are the two elements that are obvious in the design and construction of the St. Genevieve Library. These are manifested through the use of natural light and exposed iron construction. The natural illumination is obviously functional as it helps readers in a practical sense to be able to see the lettering on the pages of the books. Natural illumination also has another implicit and romantic symbolism, it allows for man to enter an unnatural man made structure while at the same time not losing touch with one of natures most important and beneficial elements for man kind which is light. The Iron used in the design is also beneficial becuase it adds strength and protection from fires to the structures, it works in conjuncition with the concept of natural illumination because it allows the volume of the structural support system to be less dense, thereby allowing more light to penentrate the structure. The use of Iron in the structure can also be seen as dramatically romantic statement that comments on industrial revolution that was in its early development stages during the first and middle part of the nineteenth century. Romanticism was concerned with the dramatic developments in the life of humans and of nature. The industrial revolution provided many new, dramatic and important developments for humans to ponder and disscuss during this time period. Allowing for the Library of St. Genevieve to be functional, practical and useful for the public supports the ideals of the French Revolution which called for the illumination of the public in both the political and educational sectors.