Architectural Glossary: Key Terms in Art and Architecture
Architectural Glossary
Key Terms in Art and Architecture
A
Apse: A semi-circular or polygonal structure located at the end of a church, typically the most important part.
Acropolis: An elevated terrain that dominated a Greek polis. It was fortified and housed the main temples and public buildings.
Agora: A central square in a Greek city, where the main public and private buildings were situated.
Alquible (Qibla): The most important wall in a mosque, oriented towards Mecca.
Amphitheater: A large, oval-shaped public building used for events such as gladiator fights and animal hunts.
Aqueduct: A Roman engineering structure designed to transport water to city centers.
O – P
Ogival (Pointed) Arch: A typical Gothic arch characterized by its pointed center, formed by the intersection of two smaller arches.
Lobed Arch: An arch formed by a series of smaller, interconnected arches.
Horseshoe Arch: An arch characteristic of Hispano-Muslim art, shaped like a horseshoe with its curve extending beyond the impost.
Flying Buttress: An exterior arch that transfers the weight of the roof to a supporting pier.
Arch: An architectural element shaped like a semi-circle.
Arch of Triumph: A Roman monument erected to celebrate military victories, often with one or three openings.
Transverse Arch: An arch that strengthens the roof and is positioned perpendicular to the axis of the church, often coinciding with a flying buttress.
Archivolt: A decorative molding, typically rectangular, framing an arch, wall, or window.
Baldachin: A structure with four columns supporting a roof, often placed over an altar in a church.
Cantina (Still Life): A painting depicting inanimate objects, such as a table with food or dead animals.
Bust: A portrait sculpture depicting the upper body, typically from the waist up.
Canon: The principle of perfect proportion and harmony in the human figure.
Capital: A decorative element located at the top of a column, often varying in design depending on the architectural order.
Cella: The main chamber of a Greek or Roman temple, typically rectangular and housing the statue of the deity.
Crossing Tower: A tower located above the intersection of the nave and transept of a church, often square or polygonal.
Circus: A Roman public entertainment venue used for chariot races.
T – Z
Tuscan Column: A Roman column characterized by its smooth shaft and simple capital, often made of wood.
Contrapposto: The positioning of a human figure in sculpture, with weight shifted to one leg, creating a sense of naturalism and balance.
Choir: The part of a church, typically elevated, designated for singers.
Cornice: A projecting element at the top of a wall.
Crossing: The space in a church where the nave and transept intersect, often covered by a dome or cupola.
Cupola: A dome-like structure, often featuring a drum and lantern.
Decumanus: The main east-west street in a Roman city.
Voussoirs: The wedge-shaped stones that form an arch.
Ambulatory: A continuation of the aisles behind the altar, often found in pilgrimage churches.
Entasis: A slight convex curve in the shaft of a column, creating an optical illusion of straightness.
Entablature: The horizontal structure above the columns in classical architecture, consisting of the architrave, frieze, and cornice.
Skene: The background structure in a Greek theater, where the action took place.
Foreshortening: A technique in painting that depicts objects or figures at an angle, creating an illusion of depth.
Sfumato (Aerial Perspective): A painting technique that uses subtle gradations of tone and color to create a sense of atmospheric depth.
Stylobate: The top step of the platform on which Greek temples were built.
Stoa: A covered walkway or portico in ancient Greek architecture, often supported by columns.
Extrados: The exterior curve of an arch, often decorated with sculptures.
Facade: The exterior face of a building, typically the principal front.
Rise (Arch): The vertical distance between the impost and the highest point of an arch.
Forum: The central square in a Roman city, where public buildings and markets were located.
Frieze: The middle section of an entablature, often decorated with sculptures or reliefs.
Pediment: The triangular gable end of a Greek temple, often decorated with sculptures.
Gargoyle: A carved stone grotesque, often used as a waterspout on buildings.
Haram: The prayer hall of a mosque, typically featuring rows of columns perpendicular to the qibla wall.