Posted on 12/05/2018 4:22:24 PM PST by vannrox
It’s easy to catch in syndication here, I’d think MeTV or similar should have it in your area.
But Daviss most lasting legacy as a nation-builder, both figuratively and literally, was as a prime mover in the mammoth project to expand the United States Capitol from a small, cramped, statehouse-like building with an attractive central rotunda into a sprawling, magisterial seat of government with separate, marble-faced wings for the Senate and House, and a soaring new dome made of cast iron. The U.S. Capitol, as we know it today, would never have existed without Jefferson Davis. In many ways, it is his building.
If I ever became a President and I ended up accomplishing important things, I would want people to build a Greek temple because they last forever and that I was really important! Lincoln and Jefferson both got their Greek temples and they’re awesome!
We are indebted to the Greeks, not the Roman’s, for what is great, judicious and “distinct” in arcitechteure....
LOL!
The indoctrinated school grads of today more than likely have no clue about Greek/Roman columns and classical architecture.
Although unknown at the time, the use of the classic Greek temple style for banks and Treasury buildings was historically apt in that the Parthenon and other Greek temples were originally used in part as municipal treasuries.
Look at the gargantuan horses being restrained by muscular figures that cap the Eastern end of the Federal Trade Comission building a choice neo-classical iceberg. They represent government control over the wild horses of unrestrained capitalism. What they actually and unintentionally reflect (aside from kitsch) is an oppressive government scaled up to up in the size of The Incredible Hulk. I think this is the key to understanding why the neo-classical style was so popular for federal buildings back then, its massive forms were intended to belittle and awe the individual and stress the strength of the state as a collective.
No drinking till the last one is down.
STAR TREK TNG: COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD MEETINGS IN SPACE
Thanks vannrox.
Greek sculpture and design has never been surpassed but the Romans were superior engineers.
“Why Do So Many Public Buildings in the U.S. Look Like Greek Temples?”
Good sense and good taste ?
Greek = Stone = structural efficiency
There was no structural steel or concrete.
Greek and stone was the way to go for monumental buildings
Read “The Fountainhead” - it explains why.
For example, properly designed columns don't have a consistent taper from their base to capital. They have a slight bulge roughly 1/3rd up from the base and then taper. If they didn't have this, columns would appear concave to the eye.
Everything they did was based on the diameter of the column. Even the height of the column is based upon its diameter. The diameter is then broken up into minutes and seconds and with these increments the base, capital, architrave, fascia, soffit, moldings, etc. are determined.
When Athens, Rome, etc. were being 'discovered' by the English and others, their architecture was brought to western Europe and later to America.
Architects like Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren, both English, and Charles Bulfinch and Asher Benjamin, both American, popularized the ancient designs. America was keen to adopt this architecture due to it being fashionable during America's birth with its foundation on ancient governments.
A neighbor of mine had a son who was written up as being an outstanding student a few years ago. He was a popular 4.0 student, played several instruments had competed in Judo competitions at the national level since he was in 8th grade.
In the interview he was asked what he thought the greatest challenge facing his generation would turn out to be and his answer was, "global warming".
Celebration of classicism: the foundation if Western Civilization. It was also done in painting and composing.
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