Greek Revival Architecture: A Glimpse of Ancient Times - Essay Sample

Introduction

Visibly, the ancient times of Greek revival architecture inaugurated with the element of archaeology precisely. This was in the mid-1700s when there happened to be an eruption of an assortment of archaeological diggings in the city of Athens. The majority of the other numerous other sites remained exposed also. Besides, many architects in Europe established an elegance stimulated by Greek architecture.

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Primarily, here in the United States, diverse persons such as Thomas Jefferson utilized conventional architectural principles on new building ventures (Downs, 1944). Jefferson's plan for the Virginia State Capitol building in 1785 can be considered as one of the leading American structures that depicted the classical Greek features. It was apparent that the Greek revival designs were adequately prevailing in the country by the year 1820. In this particular essay paper, I envision offering sufficient indulgence in regards to the significance of Greek revival design to we the citizens of the United States of America. Also, I ought to address at least the political, social, and cultural foundations that are depicted in and by this flair.

Political Significance and Underpinnings

Fundamentally, the event of Greek revival architecture is often considered to have played an enormous role in the political restructuring of my nation, the United States of America (Maynard, 2002).

To commence with, the citizens were able to initiate a substantial mindset that prompted them to recognize various governmental edifices as essential symbols and emblems of the nation. For instance, constitutional structures such as the White House, which were established per those particular designs, ensured that there was a sense of political affiliation amongst the citizens.

Also, as the event of revival transpired in the United States of America, there was the augmentation concerning the acknowledgment and implementation of democracy by the majority of citizens. Consequently, this then prompted the Greek revival architecture to appear more striking in the entire parts of the country (Eggener, 2004). Apparently, for the majority of the citizens, the Greek revival architecture helped in symbolizing the liberty and association of the United States of America with the other visitors from diverse jurisdictions.

Cultural Significance and Underpinnings

Concerning Greek revival architecture, it also prompted a significant cultural role to a great extent for citizens of the United States of America. The primary rationale of this can be an affiliate to the fact that the majority of the citizens initiated the event of building their houses following those particular designs. Therefore, after some time, the design revolutionized to become a cultural norm for us citizens during that specific period.

During that particular duration in time, we, the citizens, ensured that equally the traits of the Greek architectural revival were depicted appropriately in the exteriors and interiors of their edifices. Some of these particular traits can be outlined as follows:

Exterior Characteristics

• Decorated white pillars to imitate the marble utilized anciently in Greece
• Constructing rendered in timber, concrete, or brownstone
• Moderately slanted roofs with gable façades

Interior Characteristics

• Modest, equally open outlines
• Elegant proportions
• Lavish stuccowork ceilings

Social Significance and Underpinnings

Regarding the aspect of social significance, the event of Greek revival architecture guaranteed the construction of substantial buildings that consequently turned out to be of worth for the citizens of the country.

Additionally, there was an event of enhanced interaction throughout the revival. Notwithstanding of the event of gathering in the social edifices, some quite numerous persons acquired employment in those particular construction sites. The majority of these persons interacted precisely with other individuals, both from within the country and also from other diverse jurisdictions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is indisputably palpable that the event of Greek revival architecture prompted an enormous restructure here in the United States of America, prompting imperative significances to us the citizens of the country. Notably, the Greek revival's admiration merely did not concern the aspect of architecture. The awareness in classical Greece imitated the objectives of the undeveloped United States and its experimental operations in democracy.

The event of Greek revival architecture happened to be the original accurately nationwide style here in America. It prompted the publishing of numerous architectural pattern texts and guides on architectural rudiments and structures. In essence, this meant that any citizen who possessed the appropriate construction skills could utilize the imageries in the published works to establish the modest and most prevalent styles.

References

Downs, J. (1944). The Greek Revival in the United States. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, 2(5), 173-176. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3257126

Eggener, K. (Ed.). (2004). American architectural history: a contemporary reader. Routledge. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=CzwdTGU1PW8C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Greek+revival+Architecture+and+Design+in+the+U.S&ots=pcbW8B6SlI&sig=t1fJNFBooOZp1j9n4HdIKWbE6e8

History of the U.S. Capitol Building. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2020, from https://www.aoc.gov/history-us-capitol-building

Maynard, W. B. (2002). Architecture in the United States, 1800-1850. Yale University Press.