Beaux-Arts architecture originated at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and flourished between 1885-1920. It is characterized by classical Greek and Roman architectural elements like columns, pilasters, and triangular pediments combined with lavish ornamentation including balustrades, balconies, cornices, swags, medallions, and flowers. Beaux-Arts buildings are massive and grandiose in scale, constructed of stone with symmetrical facades and grand stairways and arches. Famous examples include the Paris Opera and buildings in Washington D.C., New York City, and other major cities.

1. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 In French, the term Beaux Arts means fine
arts or beautiful arts. Based on ideas taught at
the legendary École des Beaux-Arts in Paris,
the Beaux Arts style flourished between 1885
and 1920.

2. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Historical and eclectic design on a
monumental scale, as taught at the Ecole des
Beaux Arts in Paris in the 19th cent.—
Dictionary of Architecture and Construction,
Cyril M. Harris, ed., McGraw- Hill, 1975, p. 48
Eclectic :
Deriving ideas or style from a broad & diverse
range of sources

3. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Massive and grandiose

4. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Constructed with stone

5. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Balustrades

6. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Balconies

7. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Columns

8. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Cornices

9. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Pilasters

10. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Triangular Pediments

11. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Lavish decorations: swags, medallions,
flowers, and shields
Swag :
An ornamental chain of flowers, fruit & Greenery
Medallion:
A piece of jewellery in the shape of a medal, worn
as a pendant

12. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Grand stairway

13. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Large Arches

14. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts buildings have many of these
features:
Symmetrical façade

15. Famous Beaux Arts Buildings:
 Paris Opéra, France
 The Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building,
Washington DC
 Vanderbilt Marble House, Newport, Rhode Island
 Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, Rhode Island
 Union Station,Washington DC
 Grand CentralTerminal, NewYork
 Haiti National Palace
 NewYork Public Library
 Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City
 Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, California
 Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, California
 Carnegie Hall, NewYork City
 TheWaldorf, NewYork City
 The Presidential Palace, Hanoi,Vietnam

16. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 The Beaux Arts style originated in the École
des Beaux Arts in Paris. Many American
architects studied at this legendary
architectural school, where they learned
about the aesthetic principles of classical
design and brought them to the United
States. Also known as Beaux Arts Classicism,
Academic Classicism, or Classical Revival,

17. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Beaux Arts is a late and eclectic form
of Neoclassicism. It combines classical
architecture from ancient Greece and Rome
with Renaissance ideas. Beaux Arts is
characterized by order, symmetry, formal
design, grandiosity, and elaborate
ornamentation.

18. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 In the United States, the Beaux Arts style led
to planned neighbourhoods with large,
showy houses, wide boulevards, and vast
parks.

19. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 Due to the size and grandiosity of the
buildings, the Beaux Arts style is most
commonly used for public buildings like
museums, railway stations, libraries, banks,
courthouses, and government buildings.

20. Beaux-Arts Architecture
 The popularity of the Beaux Arts style waned
in the 1920's, and within 25 years the
buildings were considered ostentatious. Later
in the 20th
century, postmodernists rediscovered an
appreciation of the Beaux Arts ideals.