Opulent architecture is generally associated with the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which was also the period of modernism. However, the opulent architecture was a rejection of modernism's emphasis on functionality and simplicity, and instead favored grandeur, ornamentation, and lavish facades. The opulent architecture was often characterized by classical motifs, intricate details, and the use of expensive materials such as marble, stone, and gold. Some modernist architects, such as Le Corbusier, viewed opulent architecture as a relic of the past and called for a new architectural language that embraced simplicity, efficiency, and the machine aesthetic. However, other modernists such as Frank Lloyd Wright, found inspiration in the natural forms and organic quality of opulent architecture, and adapted them in their own work. Overall, the relationship between opulent architecture and modernism was complex, with some architects rejecting it outright, while others incorporated elements of it into their own designs.
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