Expert: Rebecca Curran - 9/17/2004

Question
How did the ancient Greeks and Romans use the arhitecture and sculpture to create their sense of identity? Why would later cultures (Renesance, today) want to adapt Grek and Roman culture as part of their/auer identity? What kinds asosiations are set when one culture reuses the art and stile of onother culture?

Thank you!

Answer
For the greeks there realy was no reason to build such wonderful building other than a house to live in. But being that they build sculptures to venerate their Gods. The statues them selves must have a means of protection. Not just simple protection but beautifull protection. Therfore architecture took way. The architecture turned into ways of telling onlookers which Gods were housed inside and also were embellished as a means of offerings to the God. The Romans however needed a way to show their power as the capital of a complex world-empire.

The Renaissance (meaning rebirth) was born after the black plague took out 1/3 of Europes population. Out of its complexity (complex because the movement veried form place the place) grew three general aspects: return of the classical past, science, and naturalism. With their rebirth gave the artist of the era a sence of freedom. Donatello would study old roman ruins and incorporate aspect of it into his art.
In the renaissance, architects moved away from the Pagan temple back to the Greek temple. The Pantheon which is pagan in origin finds that the dome would be no longer visible when a long nave is added. Therefore the architects abandon the Basilica plan of church in favor of the central type, which can be seen in St. Peters. More charistically Renaissane in design, and revealing direct inspiration from classical art, are the Pazzi Chapel (Santa Croce), San Francesco, and Santa' Andrea. In these we see the classical balance of veritical and horizontal; round arches and acradings; classical entablatures, pedimants and details; the combined use of the arch and the lintel systems; and in Satnt' Andrea the Roman triumphal-arch design with its triple division.

Hope this helps you out a bit
Rebcca Curran
www.rebeccacurran.ca