entablature

(noun)

The area of a temple façade that lies horizontally atop the columns.

Related Terms

  • elevation
  • entasis
  • peripteral
  • megaron
  • geometric period
  • lamassu
  • quattrocento
  • pilaster
  • Pericles
  • pediment
  • stylobate
  • naos
  • pronaos
  • anta
  • opisthodomos
  • votives
  • echinus
  • triglyph
  • metope
  • prostyle
  • sterobate
  • base
  • capital
  • tholos
  • cella

(noun)

The lintel area of a temple portico.

Related Terms

  • elevation
  • entasis
  • peripteral
  • megaron
  • geometric period
  • lamassu
  • quattrocento
  • pilaster
  • Pericles
  • pediment
  • stylobate
  • naos
  • pronaos
  • anta
  • opisthodomos
  • votives
  • echinus
  • triglyph
  • metope
  • prostyle
  • sterobate
  • base
  • capital
  • tholos
  • cella

(noun)

The part of a classical temple above the capitals of the columns; includes the architrave, frieze, and cornice but not the roof.

Related Terms

  • elevation
  • entasis
  • peripteral
  • megaron
  • geometric period
  • lamassu
  • quattrocento
  • pilaster
  • Pericles
  • pediment
  • stylobate
  • naos
  • pronaos
  • anta
  • opisthodomos
  • votives
  • echinus
  • triglyph
  • metope
  • prostyle
  • sterobate
  • base
  • capital
  • tholos
  • cella

Examples of entablature in the following topics:

  • Temple Architecture in the Greek Orientalizing Period

    • On the entablature, the frieze of the façade consisted of a series of reliefs depicting a procession of riders on horseback with little variation.
    • The current cracked condition of the frieze is a likely indicator that it was assembled in a piecemeal fashion, as opposed to being carved as a singular entablature.
    • Atop the entablature sat sculptures of two winged female creatures resembling the sphinx or the lamassu of the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian cultures.
  • Renaissance Architecture

    • For instance, church façades of this period are generally surmounted by a pediment and organized by a system of pilasters, arches, and entablatures.
    • During the Renaissance, architects aimed to use columns, pilasters, and entablatures as an integrated system.
  • Temple Architecture in the Greek Archaic Period

    • This was perhaps a way to correct optical illusion or to emphasize the weight of the entablature above, held up by the columns.
    • The Doric entablature was also unique to this style of temples.
    • This further denotes the Greeks unease with building in stone and the need to properly support a stone entablature and heavy roof.
  • The Propylaea and the Erechtheion

    • Six towering sculpted women (caryatids) servesupport the entablature of the building.
  • Teotihuacan

    • The sloping base, or talud, of each platform supports a vertical tablero, or entablature, which is surrounded by frame and filled with sculptural decoration.
  • Architecture in the Greek High Classical Period

    • The columns became more slender, and the entablature lighter during this period.
  • Diocletian's Palace

    • Diocletian's palace demonstrates the Roman use of vaults in the substructure and the use of columns, peristyles, and entablatures to create monumental spaces.
  • Neoclassical Architecture

    • Beneath the pediment, the inscription on the entablature translates as, "To the great men, the grateful homeland."
  • Renaissance Architecture in Florence

    • The Palazzo Rucellai, a palatial townhouse built 1446–51, typified the newly developing features of Renaissance architecture, including a classical ordering of columns over three levels and the use of pilasters and entablatures in proportional relationship to each other.
  • Renaissance Architecture in Rome

    • The piano nobile entablature was given a frieze with garlands, added by Michelangelo.
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.