ESSA Paris: Palais Garnier
At the Opéra Garnier, or Palais Garnier, what immediately drew my attention was its ornament, scale, and site within Paris. Though the front facade was undergoing restoration and was obscured by scaffolding, it was a beautifully and intricately ornate building, perhaps even the point of bordering on gaudiness. Amalgamations of various ornamental styles and architectural styles adorn the opera house inside and out. Its scale was also awe-inspiring. Such a large building leaves a lasting impression due to its size alone. It was also situated in a prestigious, middle-class neighborhood within Paris which I believe contributes to its cultural importance. After the rise of Napoleon, the importance and power of the wealthy, upper-class nobility waned in favor of the still relatively wealthy but "low-born" middle class. Just as Napoleon sought to reinforce his claim to legitimacy with monumental architecture, the middle class sought art, class, and culture (e.g. opera) previously un...
