Kyle D. Joson
Professor Bomboy
Modern Culture and Arts
September 13, 2015
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Critique
When someone goes to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, they might feel astonish by the building’s exterior and interior design. In 1926, Horace Trumbauer, Julian Abele, Clark Zantzinger and Charles Borie designed the unique landmark at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of the largest art museum in the United States and well known for the famous fictional movie character, Rocky Balboa running on top of the steps (aviewoncities.com). The steps or sacred way is widely known as “Rocky Steps”. By looking the exterior design of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it is obvious the architect designers were heavily influenced by the classical Greek period. The building has two different classical order, the left, and right side has the Ionic and the center show the Composite. The Philadelphia Museum of Art was influenced by a famous Italian architect, Andrea Palladio.
Why the Philadelphia Museum of Art used the classical Greek-Roman’s design? The exterior design has the characteristics of the Greek temples, and the idea of Greek architecture were “designed to serve the living, not the dead” (Fiero 123). It gives an expression that everyone is welcome to the art museum though people have to pay $20 to see collections of art. According to Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, he said, “the buildings should imitate the proportion of human body” (Bomboy). In an analogy, the museum is the human brain and when someone goes inside the mind, they will find full of knowledge, wisdom, and inspiration. Many art museums serve an idea the human mind is completely different and fidelity to nature (Fiero 116-117).
What is the purpose using the Ionic and Composite order? Both the Ionic and Composite order has a scroll-like design, but the Composite has a complexity look with leaves sticking out. The idea is the center suppose be the important part of art museum, and the left and right side of the building doesn’t have an entrance. A scroll-like feature depict intellectual. The scroll symbol is used in many educational institutions like public libraries, and universities (Britannica.com). Look carefully at the capital part, it has multiple vibrant colors trying to express the liveliness of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The designers were wise to use both Ionic and Composite order, and the colors to tell the building’s purpose and atmosphere.
Andrea Palladio was one of the influences on the museum’s design. The building has an interconnected structure that makes highly symmetrical and balance, Palladio was well known for. I noticed there were statues on top of the building that the Neoclassic architecture has (vam.ac.uk). The interior design also has quite remarkable symmetry and geometric feature, making the art museum a higher importance. The simplicity creates a more friendly atmosphere and easier understanding the interior layout. As I mentioned above, the building is for everyone to seek knowledge, wisdom and inspirations.
Visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art was one of my best experience seeking ideas and creativity; also it was my first time visiting an art museum. When I was in the building, I didn't have any problems where to go because the layout building was so simple to comprehend compare to some luxurious building. One drawback I noticed is only the right side has a pedimental sculpture. What is the designer’s message for not having a pedimental sculpture on the left and center part of the building. I believe the designers should put the pedimental sculpture in the center to make exceptionally symmetrical. When people first enter the art museum, there is a golden woman in the center holding a bow and arrow. Augustus Saint-Gaudens created the golden figure and the statue name is Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and childbirth (philamuseum.org). Don’t get confuse with the Greek goddess version, Artemis, though both had very similar characteristics. The Greeks art presents naked Olympic athletes as nature’s perfect creation. Diana is like the version of the Discobolus and Greek goddess Artemis combine. If someone look at the golden Diana, she symbolizes an idea of humanism, realism, and idealism (Fiero 116, 120-121). It is impressive how the building’s details such as the classical order and symmetry layout have a meaningful hidden message. I recommend to people who haven’t been to art museum or try to find something inspirational. This is a special landmark in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Works Cited
Bomboy, Robert. "#3 Greece: The Classical Style." Harrisburg Area Community College. Web. 13 Sept. 2015.
"The Classical Style." The Humanistic Tradition. Ed. Gloria K. Fiero. 7th ed. Vol. I. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015. 114-36. Print.
"Museum of Art: Philadelphia Museum of Art." A View On Cities. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2015. <http://www.aviewoncities.com/philadelphia/museumofart.htm>.
"Order: Architecture." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/technology/order-architecture>.
"Philadelphia Museum of Art - Collections Object : Diana." Philadelphia Museum of Art - Collections Object : Diana. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2015. <http://www.philamuseum.org/ collections/permanent/44513.html>.
"Victoria and Albert Museum." Style Guide: Palladianism. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2015. <http:// www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/style-guide-palladianism/>.
