Nationalromantik - en internationell trend

Abstract

This thesis was dedicated to investigate and discuss the epoque in Sweden that between 1890 to 1920 within arts and culture, with emphasis on architecture, was commonly referred to as national romanticism. The major purpose of the study was to determine and identify the key characteristics of the style period both in a material as well as in a non-material sense. These findings also layed the necessary fundamentals for discussions further on in the thesis. The methods used consisted of litterature research, archive visits, field studies and photographic documentation. For the theoretical framework a book authored by three professors in ethnology was used that discusses how nationalism came to be and how it according to their conclusions may be comprehended today. Two sites of built environment with different traits in Gothenburg were chosen in order to exemplify the findings and to show that these sites affirm to a certain extent in regard to the findings. Given the buildings often were raised in purpose to withstand time, built out of quality materials and by skilled craftmanship they therefore have been rather well preserved. Many of the buildings for the period are well over a century old. Results showed that the key characteristics could to some extent be affirmed to the chosen sites, however results varied, mainly because of their integrated nature in a developing city as well as with adjacent or coinciding style periods. The thesis also investigated the current status of the chosen sites within their legal framework. The acumulated knowledge was essential for the cultural heritage assessment valuation as well as for the discussions and analysis in the concluding chapters of the thesis. Results also showed that national romanticism within architecture in Sweden was heavily affected by international trends and influences.