The Classics

The term classic may have a lot of meaning like clearness, elegance, symmetry and repose produced by attention to traditional forms. It is sometimes synonymous with excellence or artistic quality of high distinction.  So, I’ll be talking about a part of classical art in this entry.

(c) Google Images

There were three architectural orders dated way back in the Archaic period in Greece; the Doric order, the Ionic order and the Corinthian order. But how does there three different orders differ from each other? As you can see on the picture above, their designs differ from each and order after order their designs get more complicated than the ones that came first to them. 

The Doric Order

(c) Google Images

Doric order was the first style of classical architecture, which is the chic and classy architectural styles of ancient Greece and Rome that set the standards for beauty, harmony, and strength for European architecture. Doric order is recognizable by two basic features: the columns and the entablature.

The Ionic Order

(c) Google Images

The Ionic columns are the most thin and small columns out of the three architectural orders. Unlike the Doric order, the Ionic order has a base; a stone platform at the bottom of the column. It also has a shaft; which is located on top of the base and is the long part of the column with groves running down the sides. There is also the capital; which is located at the very top, with decorative stone that supports the roof and alone with the volute; the swirly, scroll-like capital of the column. 

The Corinthian Order 

(c) Google Images

The Corinthian order is the last developed of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. It is fancier and heavier than the other two orders. In Corinthian temples, the columns have an extravagant base to stand on. And at the top of the columns, on the capital, there's a stone carving of acanthus leaves, under the architrave which looks complicated to do. 

Another difference from the other two is the ornaments on the capital that flare outwards, like a bell, signifying a sense of height.

Corinthian columns in Jerash Jordan
(c) Google Images

I like how they tried to develop these type of structure and eventually having them considered as art by the people today. I can't imagine how they were able to make such high structures, not to mention the complicated carved designs at the very top of the columns which makes it very unique from other forms of art.  In this period they already have the proportions and balance. 

Today, we still have these kinds of structure. Like for example, the Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas located in Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila. I have been there once when I was in my 3rd or 4th year of high school, we had our field trip there. There external structure of the building before the entrance applies the Corinthian order.

Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas
Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
(c) Google Images

And other one inside the museum is the Old Senate Hall which also show the Corinthian order at the second floor and other places inside the museum.

Old Senate Hall inside the Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas
(c) Google Images

Spolarium by Juan Luna inside the Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas
and the Corinthian columns which can be seen a every post

There is also another in Fort  Santiago in Intramuros, Manila but it has the Doric order. We''ve had our field trip there when I was in my first year of high school.

Doric order in Fort Santiago located in Intramuros, Manila
(c) Google Images