Opulent architecture has often been used as a symbol of power and wealth throughout history. Powerful individuals and organizations have often used opulent architecture to demonstrate their importance and influence over society. The size, grandeur, and extravagance of opulent buildings have historically been associated with the wealth and authority of those who commissioned and constructed them. This has been true of royal palaces, government buildings, corporate headquarters, and religious edifices, among others. The relationship between opulent architecture and power is therefore a complex one, in which architecture serves both as a reflection of power and as a tool for the assertion and consolidation of power.
Publication date: