Art History through the 15th Century

Art History Through the 15th Century

Imagine asking a five-year-old to draw a picture of a house. A native Floridian probably wouldn't draw the typical split-plan design with a tile roof and a screened-in lanai. The extent of the child's artistic ability would probably consist of a box with a triangle on top of it. As fundamental as it sounds, the use of this structure has a long history dating back to ancient Greece. The classical Greek temple, the Parthenon, made use of this design and influenced (the still rather different) Roman Pantheon. These buildings are excellent examples of how architectural style reflects the culture of its creators and studying their relationship highlights how the ancient Mediterranean world affected modern Western architecture.

The remains of the Parthenon, built between 447 and 438 BC, rest on Greece's southeast peninsula called Attica. At one time, this architectural giant sat on top of the Acropolis in Athens. The thick Doric columns numbered eight on each short side. The furnishings were rather simple and the columns were just thick enough to look awkward. These traits made the building look heavy, yet sturdy. The temple housed the main icons of the wealthiest Greek city-state, a statue of Athena and the city's treasury. Leading up to the foundation was an enormous set of stairs which, compared to the people who visited it, may have been twice their height. The huge staircase wasn't just a sign of the Athenian grandeur- when combined with its position on top of the steep acropolis the Parthenon was very well guarded. Around the inner chambers, but still inside the outer Doric columns, was a type of wrap-around porch or breezeway. This kind of open space was evident in most of the buildings on the Acropolis. It allowed citizens to gather and discuss ideas, politics and economics in the first major civilization not ruled by a monarch. The Parthenon was made entirely out of marble, but it was either cheaply made or the technology was not advanced enough to make it smooth and time resistant. Today, the temple lies in ruins. The foundation and many of the columns still stand, but the roof and carved designs are all but missing.

The Pantheon, built in Rome around AD 126, is in great condition yet today. More massive than the Parthenon, the exterior of the Pantheon still looks smoother. The eight ...