Discuss the extent to which a classical artwork(s) was innovative with the composition and / or design of one or more artworks
PANTHEON
Discuss the extent to which a classical artwork(s) was innovative with the composition and / or design of one or more artworks
PANTHEON
Introduction:
Topic Sentence: The design of the Pantheon was for it's day innovative and an engineering marvel. While it was not the first domed structure in Roman architecture, it's pre-eminence is due to it's well preserved state
Porch
Rotunda
Dome
Originally built by Marcus Agrippa in 27BC and later rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian in 118AD - 128AD
Located on the Campus Martius in Central Rome
Weight distribution techniques
Paragraph 1: Dome
Topic Sentence: The Dome is the most well known and innovative feature on the Pantheon, due to the way it was built
Built using pozzolana (water-proof concrete) poured down a wooden frame and faced with brick (because concrete by itself would've been ugly
Light materials on top --> heavy materials on the bottom
Pumice --> brick + pumice --> brick --> tufa + brick --> tufa --> tufa + travertine --> travertine
56m in diameter
Coffered ceilings
Weight reduction / distribution:
Marble veneer used higher up
Internal corridors and niches in roof
Oculus
Allow light in
Religious significance - window to the heavens
9m wide
Paragraph 2: Rotunda
Topic Sentence: The Rotunda was another feature of the Pantheon that was very innovative, as much of the weight reduction and distribution to prevent the dome from collapsing in can be found in the design of the Rotunda
Could fit a perfect circle inside the rotunda + dome
Made of concrete faced with brick
Rests on foundations 4.5m deep and 7m thick
Weight distribution
8 internal arches in brick helped distribute weight
Columns and pilasters inside rotunda distribute weight
Niches in walls said to have held planetary gods
Holes in floor to drain rain water as rain came in through the oculus
Paragraph 3: Porch
Topic Sentence: The Porch is another feature of the Pantheon that was innovative in bringing together the design of the Pantheon
Pantheon very frontal (one entrance and exit) so porch was important for great first impressions
33.5 wide
Porch roof originally made of gilded bronze tiles
Traditional, deep porch columned like earlier Roman temples
Central doorway made of bronze
2 semi-circular niches once contained statues of Augustus and Agrippa
Vestibule helped to buttress the rotunda
Corinthian capitals
Octastyle columns
Granite for drums came from Egypt
Augustus' triumph over Cleopatra and Mark Antony
Fluted corinthian pilasters flank entrance
Messages:
Rome's power and influence
Scale / Size
Stability of Roman culture
Engineering / design
Rome has ability to build incredible structures
Reinforces power