Tag: Boundaries
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Atlantes (architecture)
In European architectural sculpture, an atlas (also known as an atlant, or atlante or atlantid; plural atlantes) is a support sculpted in the form of a man, which may take the place of a column, a pier or a pilaster. The Roman term for such a sculptural support is telamon (plural telamones or telamons). The term atlantes is the Greek plural of the name Atlas—the Titan who was forced to hold the sky on his…
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Terms, not to be confused with Herms…sometimes (architecture)
In Classical architecture and in art a term or terminal figure (plural: terms or termini) is a human head and bust that continues down as a square tapering pillar-like form. It is usually distinguished from a herm, which has a head and shoulders only, but the two words may be used rather loosely and interchangeably. The god Terminus was the Etruscan and Roman deity of boundaries, and classical…
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Statue of Hermes (five fables)
There are five fables of ancient Greek origin that deal with the statue of Hermes. All have been classed as burlesques that show disrespect to the god involved and some scepticism concerning the efficacy of religious statues as objects of worship. Statues of Hermes differed according to function and several are referenced in these stories. Only one…
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Herma
Picture this: You’re strolling through a classical Greek agora, minding your own business, when BAM! You’re face-to-face with a square pillar sporting a head, maybe some pecs if you’re lucky, and – oh, hello there! – a rather prominent set of male genitalia at eye level. Talk about art that grabs your attention! These saucy…
