The$Architecture$of$A.$Palladio,$ · •...
Transcript of The$Architecture$of$A.$Palladio,$ · •...
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• A"er the revolu,on, Thomas Jefferson followed in the footsteps of the enlightenment: He was Deist, who fought for the separa3on of church and state: “The legi,mate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. ... Reason and free enquiry are the only effectual agents against error.”
• Thomas Jefferson spearheaded a movement to adopt Neoclassicism the na3onal architectural style of the United States because it was an ar3s3c style closely associated with values such as morality, idealism, patrio,sm and civic virtue
• By helping to introduce classical architecture to the United States, Jefferson intended to reinforce the ideals behind the classical past: democracy, educa,on, ra,onality, civic responsibility.
• Because he detested the English, Jefferson con3nually rejected Bri3sh architectural precedents for those from France – and also designed a building that eloquently spoke to the democra3c ideals of the United States.
• Jefferson believed art was a powerful tool; it could illicit social change, could inspire the public to seek educa,on, and could bring about a general sense of enlightenment for the American public.
• If Cicero believed that the goals of a skilled orator were to Teach, to Delight, and To Move, Jefferson believed that the scale and public nature of architecture could fulfill these same aspira3ons.
• He was also one of the most accomplished gentleman architects in American history. To quote William Pierson, an architectural historian, “In spite of the fact that his training and resources were those of an amateur, he was able to perform with all the insight and boldness of a high professional
• His knowledge of architecture was influence by the book The Architecture of A. Palladio, and Palladio’s style inspired the neoclassical design for his home
Analysis • A one story house, is made grand by it’s mixture of classical elements
• Pediment covered porch with a stylobate and doric columns • The roof is caped by a dome that recalls the Parthenon yet the floor plan is not round, giving the building more
geometric interest and movement • The roof is decorated with a balustrade – like Brunelleschi’s TempieVo • The building is completely harmonious and not at all ostenta3ous, but made modern with use of bricks • Jefferson has created is own temple in which to dwell – a temple to reason and civic virtue
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The Virginia State Capitol (1785-‐1789) is a modified version of the Maison Carrée (16 BCE), a Roman temple Jefferson saw during a visit to Nîmes, France. And although Jefferson never went so far as Rome, the influence that the Pantheon (125 CE) had over his Rotunda (begun 1817) at the University of Virginia is so evident it hardly need be men3oned.
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• Houdon, the leading French Neoclassical sculptor, was hired by legislator to create a public sculpture for the state capital rotunda
• This is the sculptural version of a Grand Manner portrait • Washington stands and looks slightly to his lef; his facial expression could best be described as
fatherly. • He wears not a toga or other classically inspired garment—as the neoclassically inclined Houdon
would have no doubt preferred—but instead his military uniform. • His stance mimics that of the contraposto seen in Polykleitos’ Doryphoros. • Houdon also uses symbolism from ancient Rome to present Washington’s virtues as a leader • The column: it is a bundle of rods with an axe aVached, which is the Roman fasces and emblem of
authority. The 13 rods represent the 13 original state. Washington confidently leans upon them as their protector
• The Plow behind him alludes to Cincinnatus, a early Roman patrician who was elected dictator during 3me of war and resigned his pori3on as soon as vistory was won – Washington resigned from the army as soon as the war was won, he also declined a 3rd term, establishing him a truly democra,c
• He wears the badge of the Society of the CincinaQ under his waistcoat – a society of officers of the revolu3on who resigned in peace3me
• He no longer hold a sword but a walking s3ck making him a man who has accomplished peace and protects the young country through the ideals of democracy and not physical power and in,mida,on.
• Houdon captured not only what George Washington looked like, but more importantly, who Washington was, both as a soldier and as a private ci,zen who serves his na,on faithfully
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• Afer his death Washington took on a godlike stature in American history • Congress commissioned a sculpture to commemorate his 100th birthday and to sit
beneath the Capital dome • Greenough used Houdon’s portrait for the model of the head but gives
Washington a much more youthful body – like Roman Patrician statues • The portrayal of Washington as semi-‐nude and enthroned is based upon a Greek
Sculpture by Phidias of Zeus • The statue is 11 feet tall seated and Washington is seen as an in3mida3ng force
• Gone is the humble and virtuous leader. He is now poin3ng to the heaven and handing off a sword to the viewer as if it is their calling to enlist in baVle.
• One foot is out as if he will stand at any moment – a giant looming over us • The sculpture was not well received by congress or the public as it did not speak to
the morality and virtues of democracy. It was never placed beneath the dome
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