William Lethaby, Symbolism and the Occult

This book explores the life and work of architect William Richard Lethaby (1857–1931) and his relationship with the occult and alchemy during the nineteenth-century spiritual revolution. It analyzes his drawings and architecture to reveal his familiarity with occult concepts and ideology, and how he was influenced by the Zeitgeist. It is written for upper-level students, researchers, and academics interested in architectural history, William Lethaby, and nineteenth-century culture and society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

William Richard Lethaby (1857-1931) was an architect who had a deep fascination with the occult and alchemy, particularly during the spiritual revolution of the nineteenth century. This book delves into his life and work, using detailed analysis of his drawings and architecture to uncover his familiarity with occult concepts and ideology.

At a time when countless individuals, particularly members of the avant-garde, were rejecting traditional religious pathways and seeking answers through experimental and mystical alternatives, Lethaby was profoundly influenced by the Zeitgeist. The Zeitgeist was saturated with references to spiritualism, mysticism, and the occult, and Lethaby's work reflects this influence.

William Lethaby: Symbolism and the Occult explores how the architect was profoundly influenced by the Zeitgeist and how occultism impacted his contemporaries and the wider Arts and Crafts Movement. The book is written for upper-level students, researchers, and academics interested in architectural history, William Lethaby, and nineteenth-century culture and society.

Through his detailed analysis of Lethaby's drawings and architecture, the research reveals Lethaby's familiarity with occult concepts and ideology during the spiritual revolution of the nineteenth century. The book explores how the architect was influenced by the Zeitgeist, which was saturated with references to spiritualism, mysticism, and the occult. It also examines the impact of occultism on his contemporaries and the wider Arts and Crafts Movement.

William Lethaby's work was deeply influenced by the occult, and his buildings and designs often featured symbolic elements and motifs. The book explores how these occult influences shaped his architectural style and how they contributed to the broader cultural and artistic movements of the time.

Overall, William Lethaby: Symbolism and the Occult provides a valuable insight into the life and work of an architect who was deeply immersed in the occult and alchemy during a period of significant cultural and spiritual transformation. The book is written for upper-level students, researchers, and academics interested in architectural history, William Lethaby, and nineteenth-century culture and society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032149080