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Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-86)

Studied at Harvard and the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris (1859-62) .While in Europe he worked under henri Labrouste and Jakob Ignaz Hittorf. Trinity Church, Boston defined his unique style which became known as "Richardsonian Romanesque" because of the parallels with Romanesque principles. He was very influential in his short life; followers include Charles Follen McKim, Stanford White, Louis Sullivan, and John Wellborn Root. (WJC)

Richardsonian Romanesque (1870-1895)

Style named for Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886). It is a revival style based on French and Spanish Romanesque precedents of the 11th century. (Romanesque preceded Gothic in European architecture.) Richardson's style is characterized by massive stone walls and dramatic semicircular arches, and a new dynamism of interior space. Continuity and unity are keynotes of Richardson's style. The Richardsonian Romanesque eclipsed both the IInd Empire Baroque and the High Victorian Gothic styles; the style had a powerful effect on such Chicago architects as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, and influenced architects as far away as Scandinavia.

Religious Architecture

HH Richardson:  Brattle Square Church,  Boston, 1871.

Click here for more slides of the Brattle Square Church and other religious architecture by H.H. Richardson

1. Brattle Square Church, Boston, 1872-77. H.H. Richardson, architect. From an old postcard.

HH Richardson:  Trinity Church, Boston, 1872-77

HH Richardson:  Trinity Church, Boston, 1872-77

Click here for more slides of Trinity Church  and other religious  architecture by H.H. Richardson

1. Trinity Church, Boston, 1872-77. H.H. Richardson, architect.

University Architecture

H.H. Richardson: Austin Hall, Harvard, 1881-84

H.H. Richardson: Austin Hall, Harvard, 1881-84

H.H. Richardson: Austin Hall, Harvard, 1881-84

1. Austin Hall, Harvard University, 1881-84.H.H. Richardson, architect.
2. Austin Hall, Harvard University, 1881-84.H.H. Richardson, architect.
3. Austin Hall, Harvard University, 1881-84.H.H. Richardson, architect.

Public Architecture -- Libraries

 

H.H. Richardson: Winn Memorial  Library, Woburn, MA, 1876-79	H.H. Richardson: Winn Memorial  Library, Woburn, MA, 1876-79
H.H. Richardson: Ames  Free Library, North  Easton, MA, 1877
H.H. Richardson: Crane Library,  Quincy, MA, 1881	H.H. Richardson: Crane Library,  Quincy, MA, 1881
HH Richardson: Converse  Memorial Library, Malden,  MA, 1885	Click Here for more  slides of Richardson's Libraries

1. Winn Memorial Public Library, Woburn, MA. 1876-79. H.H. Richardson, architect.
2. Winn Memorial Public Library, Woburn, MA. 1876-79. H.H. Richardson, architect. Detail.
3. Crane Memorial Library, Quincy, MA. 1881. H.H. Richardson, architect.
4. Crane Memorial Library, Quincy, MA. 1881. H.H. Richardson, architect.
5. Converse Memorial Library, Malden, MA, 1885. H.H. Richardson, architect.

Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail, Pittsburgh, PA, 1885.

HH Richardson: Allegheny  Cty Courthouse & Jail,  Pittsburgh, 1885.

Click here for more slides  of the  Allegheny County Courthouse & Jail, Pittsburgh, 1885.

Oakes Ames Memorial Hall, North Easton, 1879-81

H.H. Richardson: Oakes  Ames Memorial Hall, North  Easton, MA, 1877-79	H.H. Richardson: Oakes  Ames Memorial Hall, North  Easton, MA, 1877-79	H.H. Richardson: Oakes  Ames Memorial Hall, North  Easton, MA, 1877-79
H.H. Richardson: Oakes  Ames Memorial Hall, North  Easton, MA, 1877-79	H.H. Richardson: Oakes  Ames Memorial Hall, North  Easton, MA, 1877-79	H.H. Richardson: Oakes  Ames Memorial Hall, North  Easton, MA, 1877-79
H.H. Richardson: Oakes  Ames Memorial Hall, North  Easton, MA, 1877-79

Railroad Station, North Easton, 1881-82

HH Richardson: North  Easton RR Station, 1881-82

HH Richardson: North  Easton RR Station, 1881-82

HH Richardson: North  Easton RR Station, 1881-82

Residential Architecture

 

Ames Gate Lodge, North Easton, MA, 1880-81

Ames Gate Lodge, North Easton, MA, 1880-81

1. Ames Gate Lodge, North Easton, MA. 1880-81. H.H. Richardson, architect.
2. Ames Gate Lodge, North Easton, MA. 1880-81. H.H. Richardson, architect.

HH Richardson: Stoughton  House, Cambridge, MA,  1882-83	HH Richardson: Stoughton  House, Cambridge, MA,  1882-83	HH Richardson: Stoughton  House, Cambridge, MA,  1882-83
HH Richardson: Stoughton  House, Cambridge, MA,  1882-83

1. Stoughton House, Cambridge, MA. 1882-83. H.H. Richardson, architect.
2. Stoughton House, Cambridge, MA. 1882-83. H.H. Richardson, architect.

HH Richardson: J.J.  Glessner House, Chicago,  IL, 1887

HH Richardson: J.J.  Glessner House, Chicago,  IL, 1887

HH Richardson: J.J.  Glessner House, Chicago,  IL, 1887

HH Richardson: J.J.  Glessner House, Chicago,  IL, 1887

Richardsonian Romanesque -- Other Architects

Amelia S. Given Library, Mt. Holly Springs, PA, 1890.
James F. Steen, architect; Moses Ransom, woodwork.
(photos by Paul Tucker)

Other Romanesque in Boston:

Arthur Vinal: Metropolitan  Waterworks, Chestnut Hill,  MA, 1889	Arthur Vinal: Metropolitan  Waterworks, Chestnut Hill,  MA, 1889	Arthur Vinal: Metropolitan  Waterworks, Chestnut Hill,  MA, 1889
Shepley, Rutan, Coolidge:  Flour and Grain Exchange,  Boston, 1889.

WWW links on H.H. Richardson:

History of Grace Church, Medford One of Richardson's oldest surviving churches.
Marshall Field Wholesale Store, Chicago One of Richardson's most important commercial projects, demolished 1930.

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Jeffery Howe: 1996, 1997, 1998. (email: [email protected]