Classical and Medieval West
The Parthenon and Notre Dame de Chartres
Parthenon image is a former temple dedicated to Athena on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece. It displays the refined clarity, vigor and harmony that are the source of Greek tradition. The proportions of this image are based on harmonious ratios. The Parthenon image was made by Iktinos and Kallikrates. Parthenon image construction of Parthenon image began in 447 BC. The Parthenon consists of a rectangular floor with many low steps on each side (Neils, 337). Its foundation was made out of limestone and its columns made out Pentelic marble. The statue of the Athena Parthenon has Athena standing with her left leg relaxed. She dressed in a peplos belt over the overfold, sandals, aegis and a helmet. Her helmet was decorated with griffins and sphinxes (Neils, 338).
Notre Dame de Chartres is a Gothic catholic for the Latin Church that is found in Chartres France. There are no surviving records for the master builders of the Chartres. The building of the Chartres occurred between 1145 and 1250 (Morganstern, 127). This image was made out of limestone with a height of 34 meters and a length of 130 meters. The cathedral’s design displays innovation with its tall arcades.
The two works are similar because somehow, they used similar a similar material, limestone in the building. The difference between the two structures is that they are of different art style for example Parthenon is an example of classical art whereas Notre Dame de Chartres is an example of medieval art. Also, the two structures were constructed to serve different purposes for instance the Parthenon was built to shelter Athena’s statue whereas the Chartres serves many purposes including commercial activities (Morganstern, 135).
Work cited
Neils, Jenifer. The Parthenon: From Antiquity to the Present. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Print.
Morganstern, Anne M. G. High Gothic Sculpture at Chartres Cathedral, the Tomb of the Count of Joigny, and the Master of the Warrior Saints. University Park, Pa: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2012. Print.
