The Art of Building in the Classical World
Vision, Craftsmanship, and Linear Perspective in Greek and Roman Architecture

This book examines the design process of classical architecture, exploring how the techniques of drawing developed for architecture subsequently shaped representations of the universe.

John R. Senseney (Author)

9781107002357, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 March 2011

262 pages, 95 b/w illus.
26.1 x 18.5 x 1.9 cm, 0.72 kg

'The volume is an interesting addition to the recent literature on the art building in the Greek and Roman world.' Arctos

This book examines the application of drawing in the design process of classical architecture, exploring how the tools and techniques of drawing developed for architecture subsequently shaped theories of vision and representations of the universe in science and philosophy. Building on recent scholarship that examines and reconstructs the design process of classical architecture, John R. Senseney focuses on technical drawing in the building trade as a model for the expression of visual order, showing that the techniques of ancient Greek drawing actively determined concepts about the world. He argues that the uniquely Greek innovations of graphic construction determined principles that shaped the massing, special qualities and refinements of buildings and the manner in which order itself was envisioned.

Introduction: challenges of analysis and interpretation
1. The ideas of architecture
2. Vision and spatial representation
3. The genesis of scale drawing and linear perspective
4. Architectural vision
Excursus: envisioning cosmic mechanism in Plato and Vitruvius
Appendix A: analysis of the dimensions of the blueprint for entasis at Didyma
Appendix B: analysis of the hypothetical working drawing for platform curvature at Segesta
Appendix C: analysis of the hypothetical working drawing for platform curvature in the Parthenon.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], History of architecture [AMX], History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG]