Edward Jolley
Professor Bomboy
Humanities 101
13 September 2015
Classical Architecture Critique
The New York Court of
Appeals Building in Albany, New York, has distinct features and design that displays
aspects of the Classical Architecture style. The building was completed in the
year 1842 by Architect Henry Rector. The
building can be categorized as a Greek revival, and contains characteristics as
such. The design was highly inspired by Greek architecture, specifically the
Greek Temple of Athena Nike. This structure is based on the Ionic Order, which is
known to be slender and more elegant. The
New York Court of Appeals Building is living proof of the Classical
Architecture style for many reasons.
The
Classical Order that the Court of Appeals building adheres to is the Ionic
Order. This style tends to be more decorative than Doric but less than Corinthian.
The main features that the Court of Appeals has acquired from this style consist
of Volutes found in the capital of the column, which are “scrolls” above the
shaft, giving it a more refined appearance. Then there are the flutes, which
are carved lines on the columns from top to bottom of each of the six columns. Also,
the bases of the columns appear to be sitting on a design that “look like a set
of stacked rings” (“Charlotte-Mecklenberg”). The buildings entablature that
rests on top of the columns contains the Architrave, frieze, and the top
cornice. Each order contains these concepts but this specific Ionic order
detail used on the building shows that “the architrave has an upper and lower
fascia” (“The Ionic Entablature”).
New York’s Court of Appeals building is a Greek revival,
which is an example of a popular “style that gained popularity by exploring parallels
between an earlier culture and the present day” (“Historic Styles/Greek Rival”).
The crown of the roof is exaggerated to give the building a more of a temple
style aspect. This gives the court building a much more authoritative appearance.
Though in this style the columns can be sometimes square, the building keeps to
the classical style of round. The entrance is composed of three sets of double
wood finished doors that stay true to the elaborate finish typically tied to
the Greek revival. Also, the windows on the building are all double hung,
except the ones beneath the cornice which are commonly small rectangular single
pane. It’s a common scheme “that the window surrounds tended to be less
elaborate than doorways” (“Historic Styles/Greek Rival”). This trait can be
seen if you closely examine the front of the building.
Inspiration from Greek
Architecture can easily be linked between the New York Court of Appeals Building
and other original Greek structures. Interesting enough is the fact that the building
was highly inspired by the Temple of Athena Nike, built around 420BC and
located on the Acropolis of Athens in Greece. The Temple was designed by the architect
Callicrates, “who was commissioned by the senate” to build the temple. (“Callicarates”).
There is a direct inspiration of this
architect’s work found throughout the Court building. A great example is that “the
capitals and bases of the five columns supporting the portico were copies of
those of the ancient Greek Temple of Nike” (“Court of Appeals”). Another significant
detail worth mentioning is that Callicrates was also one of the architects that
designed the Parthenon, which is a former temple on the Acroplis built in 438BC,
following in accordance to the Golden Ratio. This “Divine Proportion” can be recognized
throughout the Court of Appeals building as well. It’s not a coincidence but a
very important and popular aspect of much classical architecture.
The classical features, Ionic designs, and subtle elements
compliment the buildings usage as a court house. This is such an important
aspect when considering that, like clothes, appearance gives people a judgement
on what is inside the exterior. The white marble gives the building an
impressive and costly appearance, which in turn leads one to believe that this public
building is very important to the city. This court houses judges and represents
law and order. Due to this fact, it’s only appropriate that the building should
have proper symmetry to represent the classical meaning of “endurance and
balance” (Fiero 114). This characteristic gives the building a very prominent and
proud appearance which seems very fitting for the highest court in the state of
New York. If the buildings design projects this image then it can be known that
inside resides people of power including the “Chief Judge along with six
associate judges” (“Court of Appeals Hall”).
Throughout much extensive research and comparisons, it
is a fact that the New York Court of Appeals building was inspired by Classical
Architecture. It’s the epitome of Greek revival using the Ionic Order. From the
cornice to the base of the columns numerous details decorate the court building
showing a parallel likeness to classical architecture. When Henry Rector
designed the building, he did a fantastic job when attempting to create it in
the resemblance of the Greek Temple Athena Nike. The project features of the
building designs have been easily linked through the classical time period’s original
architecture and their architects. The Court
building has a background that when recognized, truly shows the links and
inspiration of classical architecture that helps create the entire image of
what the building represents not only on the outside but as a whole.
Works Cited
“Callicrates.” Britannica.com. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., n.d. Web. 13 Sep.
2015.
“Court
of Appeals Hall.” Nycourts.gov. n.p.,
n.d. Web. 13 Sep. 2015.
“Historic Styles/Greek Revival.” wentworthstudio.com. Wentworthstudio.com,
n.d. Web. 13 Sep. 2015.
“Ionic.”
Cmhpf.org. Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Historic Landmarks Commission, n.d. Web. 13 Sep. 2015.
“The Ionic Tablature.” Theclassicalorders.com. The Classical Orders.com, n.d. Web. 13 Sep.
2015.
Fiero,
Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition. 7th
ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hill,
2011. Print.
