Arches

Bernecia Broadbelt

Art - 11

Arches

​According to wikipedia"An arch is a structure that spans a space and supports structure and weight above it. Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture and their systematic use started with the ancient Romans who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures." They are various types of arches such as circular forms, pointed arches and vaults. - referred to as rounded arches, Roman builders relied heavily on circular forms or rounded arches to span large open areas. Pointed arches are used in gothic style architecture these arches allowed taller builders and reduced the amount of thrust in the base.Vaults are arches which are assembled side by side.   Parabolic arches, on the other hand, require the most thrust at the base. However, the focus will be placed on pointed arches and circular arches.

​ The Romans are one of the most influential people in architecture. They were one of the first builders to include the style of arches.  They made the circular arches. This type of arches was used by the Romans because they knew how to make them because they had access to materials such as keystone, voussoir and springing. A few examples of some of the amazing roman structures were the Colosseum, Pont du Gard and the Patheon. The use of arches was done so brilliantly that even today modern buildings still use circular arches.

​ Although the Romans did fantastic building using the circular arches the Goths who came after them took a different approach. The Gothic style of architecture wasinfluenced by the rise of Christianity.  Before this period Christians hid to have servicesand gatherings. However, when Christianity began to flourish and became an accepted religion they didn't hide anymore, the construction of Christian cathedrals began.  Influenced by the great architectural work of the Romans they used arches. Unfortunately they thought that the round arches weren't close enough to God. Thus, by applying the Pointed arches they were able to build taller buildings and have larger mosaic windows. The height made them feel closer to God and the larger windows told his stories and brought in His glorious light. Gothic cathedrals are referred to as the greatest and most elaborate buildings made of stone. Although a great inclusion in architecture the gothic style arches were shortly lived.  By the early fourteenth century new types of arches were on the rise such as the Renaissance style.  Fortunately, in the nineteenth century, Gothic arches were revived and can still be seen in Europe and the U.S.A.

​Some may say that regardless of the shape of the arch it is still an arch so why the need for differentiation. Many debates can be formulated but in order to fully understand what influenced the styles they must be differentiated. The main idea of the pointed arches were influenced by religion but the construction of it can be viewed as an advancement.  They allowed taller buildings, larger windows which created an illusion of being in the presence of God. A noted difference is that they didn't require as much support at the base as the circular archers. Not only did the pointed arches allow creativity in terms of the designs of the windows but also the height of buildings.

​       “All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space.” (Phillip Johnson) The above quotation reminded me of the arches which were both influenced by the availability of materials and beliefs. These arches signify true architectural genius and how  their use began in one era and continue to  influence  the building culture today.

Works Cited: or References

1. A History Of Western Art by Laurie Schnieder Adams pages 201 and 220

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome

Artist: Bernecia Broadbelt

Title: "Roman and Gothic Arches"

Ancient Greece

Bernecia Broadbelt

Art -11

Greek  Art

            A civilization lost between time and space known only as a myth emerges, captures and impacts Western culture, the Greeks. Before the nineteenth century there was no or little mention of the Greeks, one would hear about Egyptian wars, sculptures and scandals. Although the seven wonders of ancient world were Egyptian these buildings and structures were elaborate and lacked "reality." Greek art was completely different focusing on reality they took their influences from many eras and civilizations. Such as Eastern civilizations, of Roman art and its patrons, and the new religion of Orthodox Christianity in the Byzantine era, Italian and European ideas during the period of Romanticism including Modernist and Postmodernist. Greek art is comprised of at-least five types and they are architecture, sculpture, painting, pottery and jewelry making.

            Influences from various categories of styles Greek paintings and pottery in my opinion very unique and beautiful. One of the earliest styles absorbed was the geometric style, " ^[1]the lively rectilinear meander patterns circling the body of amphora ( two handled storage jar) are typical of geometric pottery design." Majority of Greek Paintings were found on pottery, they existed together. Other influences were Orientalizing style (700-600 BC), Archaic style(600-480BC), late Archaic to Classical style (530 -400 BC) and Classical to Hellenistic style (450-323 BC). One of the best preserved example of Greek pictorial art derived from the Hellenistic period is the " Battle of Issos from house of the Faun, Pompeii."

            Being mythic-ally oriented by believing in Gods, the Greeks considered their temples as the place where their God's dwell. These beliefs influenced their architecture, the believed that ^[2]" the god's cult must be housed on the main floor facing east to an outdoor altar where sacrifices were performed." Great strides in Greek architecture were there temples, one of the most exceptional temples is the Parthenon classically balanced, proportional unified. Other temples are the Erechtheum, Propylaea, Athena Nike and Steps.

            One of the most influential type of Greek art is their sculptures precise, calculated, accurate and realistic, these sculptures still are the "best" sculptures created. Gathering their ideas from categorical styles such as Archaic styles, Early Classical styles, Classical styles and Late Classical styles. The Greeks seek to be unique but also "real". Real being more realistic, in my opinion they paid attention to detail capturing the essence of a person by replicating their true physical appearance. Early Greek sculptures lacked full features the eyes and hands were excluded although some form of realism was shown other aspects lacked. Pushing the envelopes of possible a greek artist created the " Warrior of Riace" cutting the body into four sections the perfect man was created. Although this structure was realistic in structure, stature and form minor details like spine structure, pronounced muscle and chest cavity separates Greek sculptures  from the true human form.

            Egyptian art may be recognized easier and in some arenas may be quoted as better than Greek art, however, the Greeks did things unimaginable by the Egyptians. They  removed the elaborated versions of art and began capturing the likeness of what was being depicted. Embodying their beliefs of naturalization the Greeks created one of the best Art even to this day. It is not what can be imagined that proves great art but what is real that can replicated that proves true artistic abilities.

Works cited:

1.      "A History Of Western Art" fifth edition by. Laurie Schneider Adams published by city       university.

2.       Henri Stierlin. Greece: From Mycenae to the Parthenon. Taschen, 2004.

3.       C. Mango, ed., The art of the Byzantine Empire, 312-1453: sources and documents (Inglewood Cliffs, 1972 )

Artist’s Full Name: unknown

Title of Work: "Funerary relief"

Medium: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Year Completed: 325 - 300 BC

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^[1] extract taken from "A History of Western Art fifth edition" by Laurie Schneider Adams

page 84

3/3/2013

^[2] "A HISTORY OF WESTERN ART by LAURIE SCHNEIDER ADAMS

page 97

retrieved 3/3/2013