In Pompeii No. 41, I showed the pediment above the kitchen door thusly, asking my readers whether its interior should be left plain or ornamented. The unanimous response was that the
tympanum (properly identified by Jim of
The Road to Parnassus) should be ornamented, and so by popular demand, that's the project for this week.
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| click to enlarge |
My first tympanum drafting was "A," but the more I looked at it, the more those leaf scrolls reminded me of a Victorian furniture design. So I redesigned the tympanum as "B," which has a more graceful and authentically Greek feel to it. (The Pompeians were looking to ancient Greece for inspiration.) Incidentally, all parts of the mural have been worked out in tracings like the examples above.
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| www.buffaloah.com |
The architectural decoration above is called an
akroter, and is found at the apex of gables on classical buildings, especially Greek temples. Within the typical akroter is an element called the palmette, which I'm incorporating into my own design.
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| Ercolano-Green by Richard Ginori | www.klatmagazine.com |
This handsome plate also features palmettes.
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| click to enlarge |
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The finished tympanum — a look one doesn't often see above a kitchen door. Thanks to my readers for encouraging me to add it!
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Mark the change in the pediment with the additional tympanum makes all the difference. What an amazing entryway to your kitchen indeed!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Hello, Karena,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like the change! As you can see by the last photograph, I am working to make all areas of the mural that represent carving to be consistent in colors of grays and browns, and one other base color that Sherwin Williams has named "Sand Dollar."
That Ginori Ercolano pattern is one of my favorites - great motivation. I have a small individual sized teapot in that pattern and I just love it - classical but fun at the same time. Staying away from the Victorian influence sounds wise. It's looking great!
ReplyDeleteHi, Stefan,
DeleteThanks for properly identifying that pattern as Ercolano; I've just revised the credit line. There's a neoclassic china pattern by Spode, and I'd love to own any one piece of it —I think it's called Spode Greek.
Dear Mark, Yes that is exactly what the space above the door needed. An Akroter. Not just any Akroter but one which you designed so brilliantly. It looks fantastic. It looks complete and harmonious with the rest.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina,
DeleteThank you for liking the akroter. As I researched akroters in art reference books and on the Web, I discovered a huge variance in designs, with some being much more naturalistic. I'm glad my commentors encouraged me to decorate to tympanum!
Hello Mark, Your tympanum painting looks great and makes a great bridge to the adjacent sections of the design. I prefer your second version with its more open look. The doorway was already impressive, and this new element truly adds to its dignity and importance.
ReplyDelete--Jim
PS-Sorry for the late response; I was en route to Ohio and am just now getting reconnected.
Hello, Jim,
DeleteIt's always good to hear from you, the international traveler. When I read your own postings, I often think of my short stay in Taipei. I traveled there with my mother as a teenager, and caught the attention of a man who turned out to be the Treasurer of Taipei, a gentleman who had gotten a degree in the United States. He served as our host for the rest of the afternoon and treated us to dinner. It's a memory of very kind hospitality, and a lasting memory of Taipei itself.
I'm glad you like the revised tympanum. A small house like my own can use additional dignity and importance!
Love this, Mark. Me thinks you may have to continue on into the kitchen. A Pompeiian kitchen? Not too far-fetched. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yvette. :o) You're right, a Pompeian kitchen is not too far-fetched, in fact mine is currently painted a Pompeian yellow-orange. I haven't shown it because enamel stoves and gleaming refridgerators of course break the ancient mood. But now that you've mentioned it, I promise to include a (very abbreviated) view from the kitchen in a future posting.
DeleteTopically the Greek parliament building has something like an akroter on its tympanum, and then two akroter-type decorations on either end. (Not sure of the correct term, but no doubt our Taiwanese friend will oblige.)
ReplyDeleteIn any event, all of it a bit more solid than the economy, and indeed the word of its leaders, all of which is driving the markets (and me!) crazy.
Hello, Columist,
DeleteI think Jim would agree that the corner decoration is called an "akroterium," though it's a term I had to look up. I'd love to put such decorations up on my house, but images of a leaky roof come to mind!
I'm sure the markets are driving many people crazy. Countries that encourage their citizens to retire in their 50s are asking for trouble, and my understanding of Greece is that nonpayment of taxes is the norm.
Very handsome! What a stately entry to your kitchen. Cheers
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loi! The room is almost complete. (I hope you're enjoying the coolness in Maine.)
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