Columns

By Megan Wong

 

Have you ever wondered where iconic architectural pillars came from? Well, the most common ones used today are considered the Classical Orders of Architecture which originated in ancient Greece and Rome. The five styles are called the Ionic, Doric, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite orders. They were used to define the style of the people living in certain areas of Europe and the era it was created in.

Ionic Order

The Ionic Order was created in ancient Greece by the Ionian Greeks in the 6th century. The column is primarily known for its two volutes as it gives the impression that the column is two-sided. It is also considered to be a more feminine version of the Doric column where the volutes and dart ornaments represent the female anatomy of ovaries and eggs. Others say that the volutes resemble scrolls to represent communication at the time. The order was created in Ionia, which we now know as Turkiye, and created some problems for architects at the time as the pillars were round and they needed to hold up linear structures. This was the main reason why the column is two-sided. The order was used during the Classical, Renaissance, and Neoclassical eras. It can now be found in modern buildings such as the Roman Colosseum, Jefferson Memorial, and the US Department of the Treasury.

Doric Order

The Doric Order originated in the Dorian region of Greece in the 6th century. It is known for its plain design and ability to hold up heavier structures. It has more weight than the Ionic and Corinthian columns and was associated with masculinity. Doric pillars can usually be found at the bottom of taller buildings and Ionic and Corinthian pillars can be found at the top. Doric pillars are used in modern-day buildings such as The Federal Hall Museum and Memorial, and The Lincoln Memorial.

Corinthian Order

The Corinthian Order was created around 30 BCE by the sculptor Callimachus. The style was inspired by the death of a young girl who was put in a basket and buried under a tree that later sprouted with leaves and flowers. The Corinthian Order is known for its ornaments of leaves and flowers at the entablature and is associated with femininity like the Ionic column. Later architects had to recreate the style based on pictures in books and found that what they created did not look the same. This is why Corinthian pillars do not have to look identical to each other, but must have the iconic style of leaves and flowers to be considered part of the order. Corinthian pillars can be found inside Greek revival mansions and public architecture as they easily deteriorate if used outside. Modern uses for them are the New York Stock Exchange Building and the James Farley Building.

Tuscan Order

The Tuscan Order is one of the most popular pillars for modern homes as it is in the same, plain style as the Doric Column, but has proportions similar to the Ionic Column. They were used in structures built leading up to the American Civil war, but they originated in Italy by the Etruscans. They were created in the 13th century and have recently been used by modern architects in Gothic revival homes.

Composite Order

The Composite Order is a combination of elements from the Ionic Order and the Corinthian Order. It was created by Francesco Borromi in the 15th century and has volutes and a leafy entablature. It is commonly associated with the strength of ionic pillars but the elegance of Corinthian pillars and is primarily used in 17th century Baroque architecture.

 

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