IN-PERSON: Prague – Section B

Abstract

John Ruskin and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc are pioneers of western architectural conservation theory and are often opposed when illustrating different approaches to heritage conservation – even though they had one fundamental thing in common in their fascination for gothic architecture. However, the way Viollet-le-Duc and Ruskin describe, analyse, and evaluate the gothic style specifically, and architecture in general, differ vastly. The basis for this paper is a comparative literature study of Viollet-le-Duc and Ruskin´s main works on architecture. The overall goal of the study is to analyse how they describe architectural attributes and qualities. To do this, we will look at how the two enthusiasts of gothic art write about this architectural style and how they legitimate it as the true style of their time. The paper will use the findings from the study to feed a discussion about the concept of “authenticity” and how it is an underlying concept in both Ruskin´s and Viollet-le-Duc´s understanding of architecture. The concept is not mentioned explicitly by either of the two antagonists but remains central in their quest to legitimize the gothic style and architectural quality, though in different ways. The paper will be concluded with a discussion about the relevance of the views of Ruskin and Viollet-le-Duc as evaluation criteria for architecture today and current heritage conservation practice in the age of sustainability.