The Civic Architecture of Paul Cret (Modern Architecture and Cultural Identity) [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Greenwell Grossman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521496012 | ISBN-13: 978-0521496018 | Publication Date: August 13, 1996

Elizabeth Grossman's study is the first to examine the civic architecture of Paul Cret, one of the most gifted architects of the twentieth century. Focusing on six important civic projects erected between 1907 and 1939, Grossman demonstrates how Cret's architecture contributed to the debate about modern architecture and classicism which engaged the architectural profession and clients as they reconceptualised civic values, particularly during the 1920s and '30s. The practical needs and symbolic ambitions of the government and cultural agencies that commissioned work from Cret are, moreover, related to the architect's own concern for an architecture that might advance participation in the country's burgeoning republican institutions, including libraries, museums, and state and federal agencies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

' ... this is a welcome study detailing Cret's contribution to twentieth-century architecture'. The Art Book

Book Description

Elizabeth Grossman's study is the first to examine the civic architecture of Paul Cret, one of the most gifted architects of the twentieth century. Grossman demonstrates how Cret's architecture contributed to the debate about modern architecture and classicism which engaged the architectural profession during the 1920s and '30s.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521496012
• ISBN-13: 978-0521496018
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,479,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars solid scholarship, January 29, 2001

By 

dave leonard (Milford, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Civic Architecture of Paul Cret (Modern Architecture and Cultural Identity) (Hardcover)

To quote the author from the preface:

"I undertook this study of the civic architecture of the French emigre Paul Cret (1876-1945) as an effort to understand better the complex relation between design of public buildings and the interests of the institutions that commissioned them. Cret's work has proved well suited to such an investigation for a number of reasons. Not only is it extremely well documented, but as a foreigner Cret had an outsider's perspective on America, which highlights the distinctions between the client's interests and the architect's assumptions. Furthermore, in the competitions that mark his career, his work differs sufficiently from that of his American colleagues to allow consideration of the diverse conceptions that shaped civic architecture in the United States in the first third of the twentieth century"

Rigorously holding herself to this self-imposed limitation she has produced a truly first rate work. Cret's early life an education are presented, followed by chapters devoted to 8 projects that are discribed, both in substance and in creation, and carefully analyzed. Three of the projects: the Pan American Union, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and the Federal Reserve Board are justifiably famous, several others including the Indianapolis Public Library and his loosing entry to the Nebraska State Capitol Competition are little known works of true architectural genius. The author's writing style is sometimes dense but it is always clear and well crafted, her research is obviously exhaustive, her arguements carefully reasoned. The selection of illustrations is very good.

Except for Wright, Cret is arguably the greatest American architect. Like wright he was a master of composition who could creat remarkably elegant and original architectural solutions to unique problems. Unlike wright he had a wide and deep knowledge and understanding of the western architectual tradition. Unlike Wright he was a man of truly good charactor.

I have two criticisms of the book. First, I beleave it is much too expensive (but worth every penny). Second I wish the author had chosen to include additional chaptors devoted to his work for American Battle Monuments Commission and the Pennsylvania Battle Monuments Commission, as well as to his work providing architectural design for bridges etc., both of which I believe could have been included under the umbrella of Civic Architecture. Still, I do not wish to criticize the author, it is rare to find such a good book on any architect, there is very little written on Cret, we are unusually fortunate to have this work that will be valued for decades to come.