what does second empire mean

What was the Second Empire under Napoleon III?

Second Empire, (1852–70) period in France under the rule of Emperor Napoleon III (the original empire having been that of Napoleon I ). In its early years (1852–59), the empire was authoritarian but enjoyed economic growth and pursued a favourable foreign policy.

What caused the end of the Second Empire?

Second Empire. In 1870 a new constitution establishing a quasi-parliamentary regime was widely approved, but France’s defeat at the Battle of Sedan in the Franco-Prussian War was followed by an uprising in Paris on Sept. 4, 1870. This resulted in the overthrow of the government, the abdication of Napoleon III, and the end of the Second Empire.

What is the difference between Italianate and Second Empire?

But, Italianate houses have much wider eaves, and they do not have the distinctive mansard roof characteristic of the Second Empire style. The dramatic roof is the most important feature of Second Empire architecture, and has a long and interesting history.

Where was the Second Empire style most popular?

Its popularity led to a widespread remodeling boom during which mansard roofs were incorporated into formerly pitched-roof residences. The Second Empire style was most popular in affluent parts of the Northeast and Midwest, less common on the Pacific coast, and rare in the South.

What Makes a Second Empire style house?

Second Empire buildings often had a simple box form, square or rectangular, and are typically highly symmetrical. However, there was also an asymmetrical form, usually an L-plan which called attention to an entrance where the wings meet.

What is a Second Empire Victorian house?

Second Empire Houses Known as Mansard roofs, these became popular in America after the Civil War, particularly during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877), when many government buildings in Washington were built in the Second Empire style.

What is the name of the Second Empire?

Overview. As the name implies, Second Empire — also called French Second Empire, Napoleon III style, or mansard style — can be traced back to the reign of Napoleon III in France from 1852 to 1870.

Where did the Second Empire style originate?

The Second Empire style had its beginnings in France, where it was the chosen style during the reign of Napoleon III (1852-70), France's Second Empire, hence its name. Well-attended exhibitions in Paris in 1855 and 1867 helped to spread Second Empire style to England and then the United States.

Why is it called the Second Empire?

Second Empire is an architectural style most popular in the latter half of the 19th century and early years of the 20th century. It was so named for the architectural elements in vogue during the era of the Second French Empire.

Is Second Empire style Victorian?

BACKGROUND AND INSPIRATION: More formally referred to as French Second Empire, this was the first true style of the Victorian era in the United States, if we do not include the preceding Romantic era. The style was most popular in the Northeast and Midwest, but rare in the South.

When was the Second Empire?

Second Empire, (1852–70) period in France under the rule of Emperor Napoleon III (the original empire having been that of Napoleon I). In its early years (1852–59), the empire was authoritarian but enjoyed economic growth and pursued a favourable foreign policy.

Why did the Second Empire fall?

The proximate cause of the demise of the Second Empire was France's defeat at the hands of Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War. After Prussia occupied Paris, Napoleon III fled, and Prussia set up an unstable republican government based on universal manhood suffrage and multiparty parliamentarianism.

How many empires did France have?

two colonial empiresFrance had two colonial empires.

What is Second Empire furniture?

The Second Empire style, which lasted from 1848-1880, is also known as the Napoleon III Style. Typified by its eclectic characteristics in architecture and decorative arts, it flourished under the reign of Napoleon III (1808-1873). It left a substantial on both, Europe and the United States.

What is Empire style furniture?

American Empire is a French-inspired Neoclassical style of American furniture and decoration that takes its name and originates from the Empire style introduced during the First French Empire period under Napoleon's rule.

Why are they called Victorian houses?

Victorian architecture is a series of architectural revival styles in the mid-to-late 19th century. Victorian refers to the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), called the Victorian era, during which period the styles known as Victorian were used in construction.

What is a Queen Anne Victorian house?

Queen Anne houses are Victorian-style houses that boast specific features—like asymmetrical exteriors and decorative trim. Queen Anne houses are also known for their wraparound porches, towers and turrets, and multicolored palettes. Queen Anne houses are known for their dynamic, asymmetrical facades.

Why are they called Victorian houses?

Victorian architecture is a series of architectural revival styles in the mid-to-late 19th century. Victorian refers to the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), called the Victorian era, during which period the styles known as Victorian were used in construction.

When was the Empire period?

The Empire Style is most often given the dates of Napoleon's reign, 1804-15, but its features developed in the earlier Directoire and Consulat periods (1795-1803), and Empire Style furnishings were still being produced in Europe, particularly in Sweden, into the 1830s.

What style house has a mansard roof?

French Second Empire styleThe Second Empire architectural style, also called the French Second Empire style or mansard style, can be traced to France, specifically to the reign of Napoleon III, 1852-1870. Residences designed in this style were, therefore, generally large and built for the affluent homeowner.

What is the second empire style?

As its name implies, the Second Empire architectural style, also called the French Second Empire style or mansard style, can be traced to France, specifically to the reign of Napoleon III, 1852-1870. Under the emperor’s direction, much of Paris was rebuilt with wide avenues and striking monumental buildings replacing medieval alleys and structures. The reconstruction of Paris in the Second Empire style had a major impact on building design throughout Europe and the United States. As public architecture, the mansard style was meant to exude character and a sense of permanence. Residences designed in this style were, therefore, generally large and built for the affluent homeowner. At its most elaborate, the look was sometimes described as a wedding cake. Yet, at the peak of its popularity in the United States (roughly 1855-1885), the style was considered both fashionable and a contemporary statement of modernity. Its popularity led to a widespread remodeling boom during which mansard roofs were incorporated into formerly pitched-roof residences.

What are some examples of Second Empire buildings?

Two fine examples of Second Empire buildings, familiar to many in the capital city, are located directly across from each other not far from the White House in Washington, DC. The Renwick Gallery designed by architect James Renwick, at the northeast corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., was built in 1859. It was the first major U.S. building in the Second Empire style. A decade later, work began directly across Pennsylvania Avenue, on the complex now known as the Old Executive Office Building. Designed by the architect Alfred B. Mullet and notorious for its rich embellishment, the OEB is perhaps our nation’s grandest example of the Second Empire style. The townhouse, the typical residential form built in Washington between 1860 and 1880 was dominated by the Second Empire style (along with the Italianate.) The mansard roof is particularly well-suited to townhouses, making them appear tall but not massive.

Where was the Second Empire style of architecture most popular?

The style was most popular in the Northeast and Midwest, less common on the Pacific coast, and rare in the South. Second Empire structures were generally built in the more affluent regions of the country. Predictably, the style’s popularity dropped rapidly following the economic depression of 1873. The Second Empire style appropriated the design characteristics of several historical languages, thereby departing from the custom of slavishly imitating established idioms. Free adaptation, allowing architects far more leeway in their design, mirrored the belief that in America, one could pick and choose the best from the past. This philosophy drove a mix-and-match sensibility.

What was the second empire style?

When the Second Empire style was applied to residential architecture, builders created interesting innovations. Trendy and practical mansard roofs were placed atop otherwise modest structures. Houses in a variety of styles were given the characteristic Second Empire feature. As a result, Second Empire homes in the United States are often composites of Italianate, Gothic Revival, and other styles.

What is the difference between a Second Empire and an Italianate home?

But, Italianate houses have much wider eaves, and they do not have the distinctive mansard roof characteristic of the Second Empire style.

What are the features of a second empire home?

Many Second Empire homes also have these features: 1 Cupola 2 Patterned slate on roof 3 Wrought iron cresting above upper cornice 4 Classical pediments 5 Paired columns 6 Tall windows on first story 7 Small entry porch

Where was the second Empire style house built?

The Second Empire style house shown here was built for W. Evert in 1872. Located in affluent Highland Park, Illinois north of Chicago, the Evert House was built by the Highland Park Building Company, a group of 19th century entrepreneurs who lured Chicagoans away from the industrial city life into a neighborhood of refinement. The Victorian Second Empire style home, well-known on opulent public buildings, was the lure.

Who designed the second Empire building?

The tallest Second Empire building in the USA was the Philadelphia City Hall, designed by John McArthur Jr. and Thomas U. Walter. After it was completed in 1901, the soaring tower made Philadelphia's City Hall the world's tallest building. The building held top ranking for several years.

Why was the Second Empire style more progressive than the Greek Revival?

Because it was based on a contemporary movement in Paris, Americans considered the Second Empire style more progressive than Greek Revival or Gothic Revival architecture. Builders began to construct elaborate public buildings that resembled French designs.

When did Napoleon declare the Second Empire?

The official declaration of the Second Empire, at the Hôtel de Ville, Paris on 2 December 1852. With almost dictatorial powers, Napoleon III made building a good railway system a high priority. He consolidated three dozen small, incomplete lines into six major companies using Paris as a hub.

What was the effect of the Second Empire on Paris?

It had the effect of stimulating economic growth, and bringing prosperity to most regions of the country. The Second Empire is given high credit for the rebuilding of Paris with broad boulevards, striking public buildings, and very attractive residential districts for upscale Parisians.

What was the idea of Italian unification based on?

The idea of Italian unification – based on the exclusion of the temporal power of the popes – outraged French Catholics, who had been the leading supporters of the Empire. A keen Catholic opposition sprang up, voiced in Louis Veuillot 's paper the Univers, and was not silenced even by the Syrian expedition (1860) in favour of the Catholic Maronite side of the Druze–Maronite conflict.

What was the French Third Republic?

The Second French Empire ( French: Second Empire; officially the French Empire, French: Empire français ), was the 18-year Imperial Bonapartist regime of Napoleon III from 14 January 1852 to 4 September 1870, between the Second Republic and the Third Republic, in France. Historians in the 1930s and 1940s often disparaged ...

Where did France colonize?

From 1861 to 1863 France embarked on colonising experiments in Cochinchina ( southern Vietnam) and Annam ( central Vietnam ). The conquest was bloody but successful, and supported by large numbers of French soldiers, missionaries and businessmen, as well as the local Chinese entrepreneurial element.

Which country did Napoleon III rule?

Napoleon III doubled the area of the French overseas Empire; he established French rule in New Caledonia, and Cochinchina, established a protectorate in Cambodia (1863); and colonised parts of Africa.

Was the Second Empire a precursor to fascism?

Historians in the 1930s and 1940s often disparaged the Second Empire as a precursor of fascism. That interpretation is no longer promulgated, and by the late 20th century they were celebrating it as leading example of a modernising regime.

Examples of The Second Empire Style

Characteristics

• As with other Victorian trends, Second Empire ornamentation is inspired and unstinting. Decorative details include iron cresting on the roof, heavily bracketed cornices, quoins, and balustrades. The general effect is monumental and ornate, appropriate to the style’s Napoleonic roots. Second Empire residences often have a simple box form and are hig...

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