| While archaeologists rely on artifacts to understand past cultures, modern historians often limit their study to written documentation. They ignore rich material remains, which can enhance understanding of a culture or era. Disputes over methodology in the field of art history have frequently discouraged contextualization of works of art within the political, socioeconomic milieu that produced them, demanding instead that the focus be on the artist and his/her creative genius. This essay examines the architectural record of Vienna, Austria, with the intent of demonstrating that the city's architecture embodies and reflects the changing political and economic values that shaped its history (1700--1933). To that end, the political and economic history of the city is examined in conjunction with the stylistic elements of architectural works. Historians concur that political and cultural values shape events; the essay applies this consensus and demonstrates that Viennese architecture provides extant visible evidence of those values and, as such, can be viewed as a valuable tool to understanding the city's past. |
