Theory

Stylistic restoration

Viollet-le-Duc's doctrine that restoration may re-establish a building 'in a finished state which may never have existed at any given time'.

Heritage Type Fantasy Memory Representation

Details

Introduced: 1854-1868

Referenced by

Dictionnaire raisonné de l'architecture française articulates
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc proposed
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc developed
Anti-restoration ethic (SPAB/Ruskin) opposes

Sources

Viollet-le-Duc, E. Dictionnaire raisonné, vol. 8, 'Restauration'. 1866.
Viollet-le-Duc. Dictionnaire raisonné de l'architecture française. 1868.

Cite this entry

First published May 2026Last revised Jul 2026

CLAD. "Stylistic restoration." Atlas of Architectural Thought. CLAD, 2026. https://www.cl-ad.com.au/research/atlas/theory/stylistic-restoration/. Accessed July 17, 2026.