CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURECLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE

Prescribed Learning OutcomesPrescribed Learning OutcomesIt is expected that student will:

*demonstrate awareness of artistic expression as a reflection of the culture in which it was created

*describe how societies preserve identity, transmit culture, and adapt to change

*identify periods of significant cultural achievement

What is Classical Architecture?

Classical is the term given to time when Greeks and Romans…

…influenced the western world

500 B.C.E. to 500 C.E.

Also called Age of Antiquity

The Greeks and RomansThe Greeks and RomansClassical architecture

has come to mean…

…the beautifully balanced and harmoniously simple

…architecture of the Greeks and Romans

Classical Architecture in Classical Architecture in Vancouver…Vancouver…

The Classical style has influenced many buildings in the Vancouver area, including:

The Vancouver Public Library

Looks similar to the Roman Colosseum…

…the architects even tried to copy the wall that has been restored

Vancouver Art Gallery, Georgia Street

Federal Building, West Hastings Street

Seabus South Terminal

The History of Classical Architecture The History of Classical Architecture is Simple…is Simple…

Greeks developed classical forms

Romans copied and adapted them

Italians of the Renaissance rediscovered it after the Middle Ages

Best Examples of Classical Best Examples of Classical Architecture…Architecture…

…are Greek Temples

Greeks preferred to work in marble and…

…liked the POST-AND-LINTEL STYLE

Post-and-Lintel Style…Post-and-Lintel Style…

Stonehenge in England…Stonehenge in England…

Built in Post-and-Lintel Style

The Romans…The Romans…

…called the post-and-lintel style “Trabeated”

…from the root word “trabes” which means beam

Romans copied the trabeated format

Romans also liked Arcuated StyleRomans also liked Arcuated Style

Greeks did not particularly like this style

Three Classical Orders of Three Classical Orders of Architecture…Architecture…

#1 Doric

#2 Ionic

#3 Corinthian

Look at the Capital First…Look at the Capital First…

Capital, or top of the column tells you what order the Temple is…

Oldest is Doric used much by Greeks

Romans Preferred Corinthian

……From the Bottom up!From the Bottom up!

Once you have determined the order of the temple…

You can then begin to examine its 4 parts

……From the Bottom up!From the Bottom up!Start with steps

Next the entire Next the entire column column

Then horizontal Then horizontal section on top of section on top of columnscolumns

Then the angled Then the angled section on roofsection on roof

1. Start with the Steps…1. Start with the Steps…

Nimes, France 5 C.E.

Paestum, Italy

Many Greek Temples Many Greek Temples have 3 stepshave 3 steps

Roman Temples tend to have moreRoman Temples tend to have more

2.2. Next Section is the Column…Next Section is the Column…Most columns have a

base at the bottom

…followed by a shaft…

…finally a capital on top

The only order that usually does not have a base is Doric

Columns can be…..

Fluted (vertical grooves) Plain or non-fluted

Doric ColumnsOldest and

simplest order

Usually has no base

Extensively used by Greeks

Doric Capital

Plain Capital with no design

Looks like a squished eraser

Ionic CapitalNext order is a bit

more fancy

Has scroll-like volutes that resemble sea shells or ram’s horns

Ionic columns are slimmer and usually fluted

Corinthian Capital

Last order is the most decorative

Used extensively by the Romans

Leaves are called Acanthus Leaves

Corinthian Capitals often contain small volutes as well

Acanthus leaf trees grew throughout Italy

Usually has two rows of acanthus leaves

3.3. Next Section is the Next Section is the Entablature…Entablature…

Sometimes called the Horizontal Entablature

Think of a temple as a table…

columns are the legs

Entablature is the “Table top”

Entablature consists of…

…Three sections:

1. Architrave

2. Frieze

3. (Horizontal) Cornice

Entablature

Frieze is often sculpted

Architrave is often plain

Entablature of the Parthenon, Athens, Greece

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy

4.4. Next Section is the Next Section is the Pediment…Pediment…

Top section of a classical style temple is called the Pediment

Triangular portion

..usually contain decorative sculpture

National Archives, Washington D.C., USA

Pediment consists of…

Tympanum which usually contains important sculptures

Sloping Cornice (usually matches horizontal cornice

Often located on the roof…

Acroterion: sculptures on the front of the temple

Antefixes (singular antefix) found on side

5.5. Examples of Classical Examples of Classical Architecture…Architecture…

Palazzo Rucellai in Florence, Italy

Classical Corinthian Columns have been incorporated into side of building

Pantheon, Rome Italy

Forum, Rome Italy