Introduction
Greco-Roman culture has strongly influenced many societies in terms of arts, philosophy, and politics. One of the forms of art that has been under Greco-Roman influence time and time again is architecture (Martin, 2018). Two such examples are The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, in English known as the Triumphal Arch of the Carousel, in Paris and The Robert Street Bridge in Minnesota. As evident from the geographic differences between the pieces, the power of Greco-Roman influence reaches far and wide.
Discussion
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel was built to commemorate Napoleon’s conquests in 1808, while The Robert Street Bridge crosses the Mississippi River and was opened in 1926. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel exhibits strong influence by Roman architecture. In fact, it was inspired directly by various triumphant arches built in honor of Roman emperors. On the other hand, the Robert Street Bridge displays fewer similarities with Roman architecture (Redon, 2019). The support arches of the bridge are the elements that resemble Roman architectural hallmarks the closest.
The Robert Street Bridge
While comparing two works, it is necessary to consider their purposes. The triumph arch was meant to enrapture and excite, while the bridge serves less lofty purposes. However, despite their differences, both of the works showcase a magnificent robust structure that inspires appreciation. The detailing on The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is far more intricate and speaks of high ambition, but The Robert Street Bridge’s incorporation of arches and lined detailing is quite harmonious and not overbearing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Greco-Roman influence has the ability to infiltrate nearly all areas of architectural intent. As exemplified by The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and The Robert Street Bridge, Greco-Roman culture has an impact on works of architecture that exceed the realms of buildings. In addition, it has been shown that regional borders provide no limitations to Greco-Roman influence’s reach and that it could be incorporated into the work’s structure in a plentiful variety of ways.
References
Martin, F. D. (2018). Humanities through the Arts. [VitalSource Bookshelf]. Web.
Redon, B. (2019). New architectural practices and urbanism. In Katelijn Vandorpe (Ed.), A Companion to Greco‐Roman and Late Antique Egypt, (pp. 519–532). John Wiley & Sons.
Thompson, R. (2022). The Robert Street Bridge [Photograph]. Flickr.
Shaw, D. (2021). The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel [Photograph]. Flickr.