Postcard Friendship Friday! If It's Not Baroque, Don't Fix It

Today In History: Today's postcard, from Russia (with love) shows the University of Moscow which was built by Mikhail Lomonosov with the encouragement of Elizabeth I, Empress of Russia. The University, said to be the oldest university in Russia was founded on March 12, 1755. If you say you are in the class of '99, the question would be: Was that 1799, 1899, or 1999?

This drawing is of the original University building.

Elizabeth was the daughter of Peter the Great and followed in his footsteps by encouraging education, the arts and of couse the beautiful architecture, which is known as Elizabethan Baroque.
The baroque style swept Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word baroque probably comes from the Italian, barraco and is a term first used to describe the asymmetrical rough edged pearls. Baroque came to mean elaborate and profuse ornamentation. This style of architecture was promoted by the Council of Trent. The command was to build with a style of motion, shade and shadow and to elaborately display the wealth and stability of the Church while honoring God with a effusive display of art.

Elizabeth I's grandiose Winter Palace by architect Bartolomeo Rasterelli is an example of the Elizabethan baroque style.

The beautiful Smolny Cathedral, also by Rastrelli, is another lasting ornate monument to her reign

The Sant'lvo Cathedral is a fine example of Spanish Baroque with it's beautiful corkscrew tower. The motion, shade and light of this style is very evident here.

Not surprisingly, England was not the least bit interested in what Europe was doing. It wasn't until Sir Christopher Wren designed St. Paul's Cathedral that the Brit's enjoyed their own version, known as the English baroque style.

Amazing 360 degree view of the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral

While Europe and England raised these confections of wonder, the people of the New World were lucky to have a roof over their heads. One-room, rough hewn log cabins chinked with mud and plaster were the style of the day in the "suburbs". The more populated areas reveled in the Federal, Colonial and Cape Cod styles of architecture. Sturdy, staid and independent. Just like the new Americans.



The Governor's house, in Williamsburgh Virginia, built by Wren, is known as Flemish Bond style.

The brickwork shown above is an example of Flemish Bond.

So, as usual, I digress. We started in Russian confections, and ended up in a Williamsburg brick. On the way we found a beautiful baroque pearl necklace which, by the way, retails at about $7,900 but can be had on sale for a mere $2,999 if you hurry.

For more Postcard Friendship Friday fun, hurry over to Beth's at The Best Hearts Are Crunchy.