The Revival of Roman and Greek Architecture in The Palace of Fine Art, Essay

The Revival of Roman and Greek Architecture in The Palace of Fine Art, San Francisco - Essay Example The particular event lasted from February to December of 1915. The event that became a tradition marks the commemoration of both the recovery of the state from an earthquake in 1906 and the conclusion of the construction of the Panama Canal1. The Palace of Fine Arts has different important structural components and architectural elements that can be considered as an integration of both the Roman and the Greek architectural designs. This is due to the fact that the main objective of the architect Bernard Maybeck is a representation of the ruins of Roman and Greek culture combined through the amalgamation of their unique styles. Due to the said objective a unique architectural style was given birth2. The Palace of Fine Arts is a unique structure that was built for a temporary purpose, an exhibition to last less than a year, but the effort that was put in the building of the edifice stretched it life for half a century. The Roman structure and architectural style can be recognized in the columns that line the building specially the central rotunda and the arch3. These columns are specifically described to be Corinthian, the fourth to fifth century Roman architectural design4. Central part was located near the lagoon which added to the attraction of the Palace, giving its visitors an extraordinary experience. The display rooms that can be counted to 113 room... The particular part where artworks are kept was constructed at the rear of the arched area to be able to provide a larger space for what is considered to be the focal point of the Palace, the central rotunda. Circular dome and the eight Roman columns make up the central rotunda linked by a bridge to the pergola. This form of structure can be observed in Roman temples in the early times. A total representation of the grandeur of the Roman architecture but humbled by the evident reconstruction of the ruins5. This interaction of element to bring about a message to the observers is the real objective of the constructed structure. The elements of Greek art can be observed in the decorations and added designs to the Palace of Fine Arts. The sculptures, the murals and the ornate decorations mark the architectural design of the Greeks that can be observed in the Palace6. Some of the priced artworks are murals of Robert Reid which is composed of four sections that describe mainly the development of art in the different regions of the world, in relation to the concept presented by the exhibition. Other art pieces that adorn the Palace depict the extravagant architectural design of the Greek. Some of there are the sculptures such as the Aspiration by Leo Lentielli, a statue that offers himself for art, and the columns lined with statues by Ulric Ellerhusen depicting the strong feeling in the absence of art. The ornaments mainly depict the Greek culture. In addition to the decorations, the eight panel located underneath the dome was described to represent the Greek culture, specifically the importance of arts in the culture of the Greek7. On the basis of the described Palace of Fine Arts according to published works, it