Final answer:
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was known for his appreciation of Gothic architecture, particularly its rational combination of structure and aesthetics. He contributed to the Gothic Revival movement and emphasized the functionality and structural ingenuity of Gothic styles, such as the use of pointed arches and ribbed vaults that allowed for larger windows and airy cathedral spaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc is notable for his appreciation of Gothic architecture, evident through his restorations and theoretical writings. He viewed Gothic architecture as a rational combination of structural 'necessities' with artistic expression, emphasizing the importance of function in the formation of architectural style. Viollet-le-Duc's work and views contributed significantly to the Gothic Revival movement.
The Gothic Revival style, which Viollet-le-Duc favored, is characterized by features such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and an overall vertical emphasis. This style represented a departure from the thick walls and small windows of Romanesque buildings. Instead, Gothic architecture aimed for great heights and large stained-glass windows, allowing for more light and a sense of divinity within the space.
Viollet-le-Duc praised the Gothic style for its structural ingenuity and the way it allowed for thin columns and larger windows. This contribution to the light and airy spaces emphasized in cathedral architecture aligns with Viollet-le-Duc’s beliefs that form should follow structural and material logic, making his position one of a strong appreciation for the Gothic style, not rejection, minimalism, or a preference for Baroque.