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What are the seven principles of architecture described in The Seven Lamps of Architecture?
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John Ruskin
John Ruskin, tinted lithograph published in London, c. 1880.
In his 1849 essay The Seven Lamps of Architecture, the English writer and artist John Ruskin outlined seven fundamental principles, or "lamps," that he believed should guide architectural practice:
- Sacrifice: The dedication of man's best work to God, as a tribute to His glory.
- Truth: The honest expression of construction and materials, avoiding deceptive ornamentation.
- Power: The ability of architecture to evoke a sense of awe through mass and shadow.
- Beauty: The incorporation of forms derived from nature, which Ruskin viewed as the handiwork of God.
- Life: The requirement that buildings be created by the human hand, reflecting the vitality of the craftsman.
- Memory: The preservation of architecture as a link to the past and a legacy for future generations.
- Obedience: The adherence to established, noble styles—specifically Gothic architecture—rather than the pursuit of arbitrary innovation.1