Corinthian (Style)

Corinthian (Style) / adjective :

First Page Mentioned (By Name) : ch. “The Underwater Citadel of Yonaguni” – pg. 120

The last of the Greek Classic Orders of Architecture to be created, its engineering and visual complexity far outshine either Doric or Ionic. In terms of Corinthian columns, the capital portion of a column (or the top part, the cap) is lavishly designed, resembling plants, such as leafs and flowers, which are then often accompanied by depictions of animals. These capitals are also flare outward, extending like bells in order to give a sense of height. The shaft, or body, of the column is fluted, or grooved, to give a sense of slenderness. As with Doric and Ionic, buildings befitting the Corinthian design incorporate these aspects throughout the visible portions of the architecture in a way that seems natural, flowing from wall to relief, and column to arch.

The Corinthian design came out of Corinth, an ancient Greek city, just predating 425 B.C. (as dated with the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae). In 30 B.C. A famous architect/engineer/architectural historian and teacher, by the name of Vitruvius, recorded the legend of the Corinthian style: It was said that a free born maiden of Corinth, who just entered marriageable age, was assaulted and killed by an illness. She was buried with a basket of all of the things she loved sitting upon her tomb, which rested near the root of an acanthus tree. That spring, leaves and stalks grew through the basket, creating an explosion of beauty. A passing architect saw this, and began to incorporate this design into column capitals. This thus became the standard of design for Corinth.

Related Entries: Doric (Style); Ionic (Style)

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