Classical architecture
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| + | [[Image:Western face of the Greek Parthenon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[1872]] [[photograph]] of the western face of the [[Greek]] [[Parthenon]]]] | ||
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| - | The '''Grand Tour''' was a European travel itinerary that flourished from about [[1660]] until the arrival of [[mass]] rail transit in the [[1820s]]. It was popular amongst young British [[upper-class]] men and served as an educational [[rite of passage]] for the [[wealthy]]. Similar trips were made by the wealthy of other Northern European nations. Its primary value lay in the exposure both to the [[cultural artifact]]s of antiquity and the [[Renaissance]] and to the aristocratic and fashionable society of the [[Europe]]an continent. A grand tour could last from several months to several years. | + | '''Classical architecture''' is the set of building styles and techniques of Classical Greece, as used in ancient Greece, the Hellenistic period, and the Roman empire. In [[architectural history]], Classical architecture also includes later and modern styles derived from Greek sources, while [[archaeology|archaeological]] usage is more strictly limited to the Classical period. |
| - | == Overview == | + | ==Archaeological use== |
| + | Classical architecture can be divided into: | ||
| + | *'''[[Architecture of Ancient Greece|Greek architecture]]''' before [[Alexander the Great]] | ||
| + | *'''Hellenistic architecture''' | ||
| + | *'''[[Roman architecture]]''' | ||
| - | The eighteenth century was the golden age of the Grand Tour of Europe for wealthy British noblemen. The modern equivalent of the Grand Tour is the phenomenon of the [[backpacker]]. | + | Only Greek architecture in the time before Alexander (who died in 324 BC) carries an authentic, '''ethnic''' designation. The ancient Greeks were notoriously dismissive of ''barbaroi'' – those who spoke Greek non-natively or not at all. The incredible conquests of Alexander and the subsequent application of a veneer of Greek city states to a base of Egyptian, Semitic, and Iranian populations produced an important change. Though speaking Greek remained the touchstone of whether one was a member of civilized culture or not, the ethnic diversification of the Hellenistic world is clear. The '''formal elements''' of classical Greek architecture were applied to temples for gods never worshipped in [[Greece]]. |
| - | Most major British artists of the eighteenth century did the "Grand Tour", as did their great European contemporaries such as [[Claude Lorrain]]. [[Classical architecture]], [[literature]] and [[art]] have always drawn visitors to Rome, Naples, Florence. | + | The Romans can be seen as the latest Hellenistic empire. Pre-imperial architecture is more or less [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscan]] with some Greek elements. By the time the Romans conquered mainland Greece in the 2nd century BC they were importing Greek craftsmen to build major public buildings. The term ''[[Roman Art]]'' and ''[[Roman Architecture]]'' has no ethnic meaning relating to ''[[Italic Romans]]''. Most [[art history|art historians]] assume that it has the ethnic meaning of "Greek-speaking slave" or "Greek-speaking free laborer," in fact. |
| - | On their way to Italy, English travellers had to cross the [[Alps]]. Inspired by the scenery of fast flowing rivers and frightening mountain [[gorge]]s they coined the notion of the [[sublime]]. | + | ==Architectural use== |
| - | [[E. M. Forster]]'s 1908 novel ''[[A Room with a View]]'' and its 1985 film adaptation is an example of the Grand Tour. | + | Most of the styles originating in post-[[renaissance]] [[Europe]] can be described as classical architecture. This broad use of the term is employed by Sir [[John Summerson]] in ''The Classical Language of Architecture''. |
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| + | The "elements" of classical architecture have been applied in radically different architectural contexts than those for which they were developed. The [[classical orders]] – [[Doric order|Doric]], [[Ionic order|Ionic]], and [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] – have meaning in the stylistic history of 5th century BC Greece, shifting to the developments in 1st century AD [[Gaul]], with the styles revived over and over again since then. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America]] | ||
| + | * [[List of classical architecture terms]] | ||
| + | * [[Classical orders]] | ||
| + | * [[Neoclassicism]] | ||
| + | * [[Architectural style]] | ||
| + | * [[Herodian architecture]] | ||
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Revision as of 19:53, 25 June 2014
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Classical architecture is the set of building styles and techniques of Classical Greece, as used in ancient Greece, the Hellenistic period, and the Roman empire. In architectural history, Classical architecture also includes later and modern styles derived from Greek sources, while archaeological usage is more strictly limited to the Classical period.
Archaeological use
Classical architecture can be divided into:
- Greek architecture before Alexander the Great
- Hellenistic architecture
- Roman architecture
Only Greek architecture in the time before Alexander (who died in 324 BC) carries an authentic, ethnic designation. The ancient Greeks were notoriously dismissive of barbaroi – those who spoke Greek non-natively or not at all. The incredible conquests of Alexander and the subsequent application of a veneer of Greek city states to a base of Egyptian, Semitic, and Iranian populations produced an important change. Though speaking Greek remained the touchstone of whether one was a member of civilized culture or not, the ethnic diversification of the Hellenistic world is clear. The formal elements of classical Greek architecture were applied to temples for gods never worshipped in Greece.
The Romans can be seen as the latest Hellenistic empire. Pre-imperial architecture is more or less Etruscan with some Greek elements. By the time the Romans conquered mainland Greece in the 2nd century BC they were importing Greek craftsmen to build major public buildings. The term Roman Art and Roman Architecture has no ethnic meaning relating to Italic Romans. Most art historians assume that it has the ethnic meaning of "Greek-speaking slave" or "Greek-speaking free laborer," in fact.
Architectural use
Most of the styles originating in post-renaissance Europe can be described as classical architecture. This broad use of the term is employed by Sir John Summerson in The Classical Language of Architecture.
The "elements" of classical architecture have been applied in radically different architectural contexts than those for which they were developed. The classical orders – Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian – have meaning in the stylistic history of 5th century BC Greece, shifting to the developments in 1st century AD Gaul, with the styles revived over and over again since then.
See also
- The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America
- List of classical architecture terms
- Classical orders
- Neoclassicism
- Architectural style
- Herodian architecture
