Victorian Architectural Styles

Victorian Architectural Styles

Among other artistic achievements, the Victorians produced wonderful works of architecture. We will look into some of the styles that architects developed from the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign in 1839 to her death in 1901. 

From the early Victorian period until about the time of Civil War in America, the Western World saw relatively simple styles of architecture that reflected styles of the past. There was an abundant revival of styles: Greek Revival (1825 - 1850), Gothic Revival (1840 and 1880) and a return to Renaissance forms. 

After the Civil War and as a result of a growing trend towards industrialism, Victorian architecture tended toward more complicated and elaborate designs. Prominent styles during this later period included Italianate (1840 - 1890), Second Empire (1855 - 1885), Stick-Eastlake (1860 - 1890), and Queen Anne (1880 - 1910). 

Victorians also began to paint their homes in unique colors. Cheerful pastels in pink, blue and lavender hues began showing up on the exterior of homes beginning from around the 1870s. 

The "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco, California and "Rainbow Row" in Charleston, South Carolina are all wonderful examples of this movement. The following are some popular Victorian styles of architecture.