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Vignola
The work of Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola is the inspiration
for Chadsworth’s Columns. Vignola,who lived in
16th century Italy, is regarded as the authority on Greek
and Roman columnar orders. He sought to establish and
formulate guidelines for the use of these supports.
Vignola’s purest approach focused attention on structural
design, revitalizing the Greek and Roman orders. Prior
to Vignola’s work, Renaissance artisans placed the focus
on ornamentation of the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian
columns (orders).
The Five Orders
The Greek Doric Order is the oldest, simplest and sturdiest
of the five Classical Orders. Distinguishing characteristics
of the Doric Order are that it has no base or
plinth and that it is thicker than an Ionic or a Corinthian
column of the same height. The Doric has shallow flutes
and an entasis, which is a flat curve on the tapering
shaft. The columns of the Parthenon, the most famous
temple on the Acropolis in Athens, are of the Doric
Order.
The Ionic Order has twenty-four flutes or vertical
grooves which emphasize its height. The volutes, or
stone spirals, are the most distinctive feature of these
columns. The capital resembles an open scroll. The
columns of the Erechtheum, a temple on the Acropolis,
are of the Ionic Order.
The Corinthian Order is distinguished by the tall
inverted bell-shaped capital which is decorated with
carved acanthus leaves and small volutes. Almost all of
the buildings erected by the Romans employ this Order.
The columns of the Monument of Lysicrates and the
Olympieion in Athens are of the Corinthian Order.
The Tuscan Order is noted for its simplicity and is an
adaptation of the Doric. The columns of the Temple of
Piety in Rome and the Lower Order of the Amphitheater
at Arles are of the Tuscan Order.
The Composite Order is a heavier Corinthian column
and its capital is an ornate combination of the Ionic and
the Corinthian. The Composite capital and a Corinthian
entablature are used in the Arch of Titus in Rome.
Our proportioning scale follows that of Vignola. We recognize
that other designs, such as those of Palladio,
Serlio, etc. are available and we can follow those at your discretion.
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