Everything about Pediment totally explained
A
pediment is a
classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure (
entablature), typically supported by
columns. The
gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the
cornice moulding. The
tympanum, or triangular area within the pediment, was often decorated with
sculptures and
reliefs demonstrating scenes of Greek and Roman
mythology or allegorical figures it also consisted of many bright colours suitable to the nature of the building being adorned.
History
The pediment is found in
classical Greek temples, renaissance, and neo-classical architecture. A prominent example is the
Parthenon, where it served as a palette for beautiful, intricate sculptural detail, in the Roman
Pantheon no such sculpture was intended. This was developed in the
architecture of ancient Greece. In
Ancient Rome, the
Renaissance, and later
architectural revivals, the pediment was used as a non-structural element over
windows,
doors and
aedicules.
A variant is the "segmental" pediment, where the normal angular slope of the raking cornice is replaced by one in the form of a segment of a circle, in the manner of a depressed arch. Both traditional and segmental pediments have "broken" and "open" forms. In the
broken pediment the raking cornice is left open at the apex. The
open pediment is open along the base – often used in
Georgian style architecture. A further variant is the "Swan-necked" pediment, where the raking cornice is in the form of two S-shaped
brackets. The decorations in the tympanum can extend through these openings, enriched with "
Alto-relievo" sculpture, "
tondo" paintings, mirrors or windows. These forms were adopted in
Mannerist architecture, and applied to
furniture designed, or inspired, by
Thomas Chippendale.
Significant pediments in the United States
- United States Capitol, Washington D.C.
- United States Supreme Court building, Washington D.C.
- National Archives Building, Washington D.C.
- Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison, Wisconsin
- Wayne County Building, Detroit, Michigan
- New York Stock Exchange Building, New York City
- San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, California
- Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City, Missouri
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In geology
In
geology, a pediment is rock which slightly slopes upward along graded surfaces of rocks of various resistance. Gilbert (1877) first described pediments on the upturned edges of tilted beds of
Henry Mountains in
Utah. They slightly relate to the profile of graded streams.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Pediment'.
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