Glossary
Abaca
(French abaque, Greek abakos, Latin abacus - board) in architecture it is the upper part of the capital of the Doric order, which is a square plate that assumes an architrave weight. In a broad sense it is an upper part of the capitals in general.
Acanthus
(Latin ACANTHUS MOLLIS – acanthus) is a genus of plants of the Mediterranean served for the pictorial basis for the element of the Greek ornament. hen it has found application in the form of the capital of the Corinthian order; transformed into the Roman, the Gothic and the Renaissance ornaments.
Aedicula
It is a small niche in the large-sized temples, leaning against on a pedestal, topped with fronton and surrounded by columns.
Alabaster
It is a mineral, water calcium sulfate, naturally occurring dense, fine-grained variety of gypsum. It has a light, slightly yellowish tint, shines through the sun. In antiquity, especially in Egypt, it wads widely used for the manufacture of vessels Alabaster is also called burnt construction gypsum.
Allegory
(Greek allegoria – parable, literally – to say otherwise) is the image in which the most general and abstract ideas such as goodness, strength, power, love, justice, etc., can not be expressed directly, but only metaphorically: as living beings or human figures For example, the lion represents strength, the eagle – vigilance, a snake – wisdom, the figure of a woman with weights in hands – justice The traditional content in mythology, religion, folklore is conventionally fixed for such images. Allegorical figures are usually endowed with attributes, explaining their meaning.
Arabesque
(Italian arabesco – Arabic) is a kind of complicated ornamentation consisting of geometric shapes, interlocking lines, scrollwork, stylized leaves, flowers and inscriptions. It appeared in the East, where it was widely spread in European art, especially in the era of the Italian Renaissance under the influence of Arab designs and Moorish art of Spain. Later the term "arabesque" received the narrower meaning – a quaint ornament only of vegetation forms, in contrast to moresque – a geometrical design.
Arc de Triomphe, the gate, column
(Latin triumphus, Greek triumphos – triple step and see the arch) is originally a Roman architectural structure in honor of the victor – Emperor-winner or a commander of high rank. It was usually built in the form of three-span arche, on which attic a sculpture of triumphator in chariot was established. Later according to the model of ancient arches were erected portals of Renaissance architecture, in the era of Classicism, especially Empire – the memorial arch, gates and pillars.
Arcade
In ancient Roman architecture arcades were used for construction of the open galleries of the theater or amphitheater, aqueducts and other structures; they gradually lose their constructive meaning and reinforce ornamental value.
Arcature
(German arkatur – see arch) is a series of small arches directly adjacent to the wall and forming on its surface the ornamental frieze, for example an arcature belt in Roman and Ancient Rus architecture.
Arch
In the development of the architecture various forms of arches get not only constructive, but also decorative value, they become elements of ornamentation – the characteristic features of a particular art style, for example: the lancet and three-foiled arches of the Gothic, the Moorish semicircular, the ogee arches from Ancient Rus.
Arch-buttress
(French arcboutant – supporting arch – see arch and boutant – support) is a semi-arch in Gothic architecture, locates outside and transmits side thrust of the fornications to the external abutment walls – counterforts.
Architrave
(French architrave, Latin archi – principal and trabs - beam, horizontal bar) is the main beam, also known as epistyle, the lower part of the entablature, the horizontal overlap that is based directly on the vertical columns and pillars.
Archivolt
(Italian archivolto, Greek archi – the first, the main and Italian volta – arch) is the external molding of arches, often profiled.
Ashlar
It is the natural stone, treated on all sides.
Asymmetry
(Greek asymmetria – disproportion) is the absence or violation of the principle of symmetry. Asymmetry can act as a means of artistic forming – composition.
Atlas
(Greek atlantos from atlas - bearing) In Greek mythology it is Titan, forever condemned to keep on his shoulders the vault as the punishment for taking part in the battle against the titans In architecture it is a male statue which supports the building floor structure, portico or galleries. The female figures, functioning the same, are called caryatids.
Atrium
(Latin atrium of ater – black) in the ancient Roman building it is a central room with a large through hole in the ceiling, a courtyard with natural light, the name comes from a smoky fire smoke, which was originally located there.
Attic
(от греч. Atticos, лат. Atticus - аттический) - в древнеримских триумфальнах арках, а затем и в архитектуре классицизма прямоугольная стенка, на которой располагались надписи или рельефы; помещалась над карнизом здания. Позднее аттиком стали называть надстроенный этаж. Название происходит от Аттики - области Древней Греции с центром в Афинах.
(Greek atticos, Latin atticus - Attic) in the Roman triumphal arches and then in architecture of the classicism it is a rectangular wall on which the inscriptions or relieves were placed over the cornice of the building Later it became known as a built-over floor. The name comes from Attica – the area of ancient Greece with the center in Athens.
Attribute
(Latin at-tributum – dowry) it always accompanies any sign of a phenomenon, a property or object. In the fine arts attributes accompany traditional images and allegorical figures, pointing to their meaning, explaining and clarifying the content.
