How to Study ArchitectureCaffin, Charles H. (Charles Henry)
History
How to Study Architecture
Caffin, Charles H. (Charles Henry)
Architecture -- History
In borrowing from the Hellenes, the Romans made little use of the Doric
order. When it is used, as in the form of engaged columns in the =Theatre
of Marcellus=, the height of the columns was increased in proportion to
their diameters; the shafts were either smooth or channelled with
semicircular, instead of the subtler, elliptic flutings, separated by
narrow fillets; a base was added and modifications were made in the
details of the capital. The architrave did not overhang the face of the
column and was reduced in height; the triglyphs were used in the frieze
only over the centre of the columns, even at the angles, while the
cornice was lighter, with dentils sometimes taking the place of mutules.
The Doric, in fact, did not appeal to the Roman taste for rich
decoration, and, in so far as it was used, was degraded in style.
The same is true of the Roman adaptation of the Ionic order. Simpler and
more commonplace curves replace the extreme refinement of the volutes
and the fillet of the latter was carried invariably across the top of
the echinus or cushion, while the ornamentation of the entablature was
more profuse. The best use of this order is found in the upper story of
the =Theatre of Marcellus=; the worst, on the eight remaining columns of
the =Temple of Saturn= in the Forum Romanum.
The Corinthian order, of which no type sufficiently definite to
constitute an order had been evolved by the Greeks, was fully worked out
by the Romans, with the assistance of Greek artists, and became the
favourite expression of their taste for richness. The shaft was either
smooth, as in the early example of the Pantheon (<small>B.C.</small> 27), or fluted as
in the great temple of Castor and Pollux; the heights in these two cases
being respectively 9¾ and 10 diameters. A special base was designed,
consisting of tori, scotia, and fillets, resting on a square plinth.
The inverted bell of the capital was surrounded by an upper and lower
row of acanthus leaves, which differ from the Hellenic forms in being
blunter at the tips. Above the rows of leaves projected the stalks, or
“caulicolæ,” which terminated in spirals, both in the centre of each
face and at the angles of the abacus. The four sides of the latter are
concave and decorated in the centre with a rosette. In the more
sumptuous examples further enrichment of ornament was added to the
capital, while the capitals of the =Temple= of =Castor and Pollux= present a
unique instance of the central spirals being interlaced.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account