Institute of Art History of the Latvian Academy of Art Anna Ancāne ...

INTRODUCTION
1. Topicality of the subject
17 th century is an important period in Latvia’s history of architecture,
marking dynamic changes in both urban planning and architecture. This
historical period typified by artistic phenomena on the verge of two
epochs still provides little examined themes and unanswered questions.
The topicality of the subject and the main tasks of the doctoral thesis are
conditioned by the need for a deeper analysis, revealing Riga’s urban
planning and tendencies of architectural development in a unified context.
Analysis of materials allowed formulating answers to the questions
dealing with the processes and changes in urban planning, development
of street network, and typology of dwelling houses as well as the
architectural finish of buildings.
2. The aim and tasks of the work
The aim of the work was to create a versatile historical interpretation of
Riga’s architectural scene in the 2 nd half of the 17 th century, based on
detailed research of all available materials;
Tasks of the work:
1) to characterise innovations in Riga’s urban planning of the 2 nd half of
the 17 th century, to elucidate the developmental logic of street network
and view each particular object in relation to other objects;
2) to define the typology of dwelling houses and interpret some most
important buildings. To clarify what kind of buildings formed the
background for some most outstanding artefacts;
3) to describe the architectural finish and décor of dwelling houses;
4) to determine the specificity of Riga’s Baroque architecture in the
context of Eastern Baltic and other countries, tracing the possible stylistic
tendencies and leading trends.
3. Methods of research
Pluralist or complex method has been used in the promotion work.
Empirical study of materials was followed by their interpretation, using
the method of historical and stylistic research, including formal analysis,
typological method, iconography of particular decorative motifs and
subsequent semantics. Indication of the commissioner, the meaning of
political power and social conditions involved also some aspects of the
sociological method.
4. The research object and materials
The object of research is the development of the layout, buildings and
visual image of the town in the 2 nd half of the 17 th century, so objects in
situ have been studied as far as possible. The number of Riga’s buildings
dated by the 2 nd half of the 17 th century is quite large, so both the most
significant monuments (Reutern’s House, Dannenstern’s House, St.
Peter’s Church tower and west-side façade) and typological groups of
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