Architecture - Culture - Nation : A Contextual and Comparative Analysis of Dómkirkjan and Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík

• Main Author: Brännström, Ylva
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Lunds universitet/Avdelningen för konsthistoria och visuella studier 2008
• Subjects: 18th century churches; 20th century churches; Dómkirkjan; Hallgrímskirkja; Reykjavík; Iceland; architecture; contextual analysis; building tradition; architectural history; national culture; Art History; Konstvetenskap; Sculpture and architecture; Skulptur och arkitektur; Arts and Architecture
• Online Access: http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/1317400

This thesis investigates how two churches, Dómkirkjan and Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík, Iceland, can be seen to express Icelandic culture. This is done with a contextual and comparative analysis. Connections are made between societal development, geographical factors, cultural influences, and architectural traditions. Among other things the thesis shows a tension between international influences and a national particularity in the Icelandic culture. The thesis also accounts for parts of the architectural history of Iceland and the different architectural influences on the churches, as well as their cultural histories and their importance and position in the Icelandic society.