Historicism

Every period at once: Gothic Revival, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque for the new buildings of industrial society.

In the 19th century architects chose a style according to the task: Gothic for churches and parliaments, Renaissance for museums and banks, Baroque for theatres. New materials such as cast iron, steel and industrial brick were often hidden behind historical façades. It is also called eclecticism when the styles are mixed freely.

Industrialisation brought new wealthy patrons, new building types and new historical knowledge. No single style seemed self-evident, so the style suited to the task was chosen: Gothic for the Christian and the national, Renaissance for commerce and learning. The academies taught the styles, and ornament could be mass-produced in cast iron, zinc and stucco.

The stone-built districts of Östermalm and Vasastan, the Nationalmuseum, the Nordic Museum and Helgo Zettervall's restored cathedrals make Sweden rich in historicism.