The classical orders

A conversation with Dr. Steven Zucker & Dr. Beth Harris
In classical architecture, the Orders consist of variations of an assembly of parts made up of a column (usually with a base), a capital, and an entablature. These structural units may be repeated and combined to form the elevation of a building and its architectural vocabulary.
There are eight Orders in total: Doric (Greek and Roman versions), Tuscan, Ionic (Greek and Roman), Corinthian (Greek and Roman), and Composite. The simplest is the Tuscan, supposedly derived from the Etruscan-type temple. It has a base and capital and a plain column. The Doric is probably earlier, however, its Greek version having no base, as on the Parthenon. The Ionic Order, with its twin volute capitals, originated in Asia Minor in the mid-6th century B.C.E. The Corinthian Order was an Athenian invention of the 5th century B.C.E. and was later developed by the Romans. The Composite Order is a late Roman combination of elements from the Ionic and Corinthian Orders.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms, Michael Clarke, Deborah Clarke. © 2012 Oxford University Press. Available at Oxford Art OnlineAncient Greece
. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

[@janetheobscure3426]

The way this is discussed helps keep me focused. It's not boring at all! Thank you for making learning fun!

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@@emilmckellar4932 Congratulations, you dislike something! Thank you so much for complaining like a child about the harmless and free of charge information that these people were generous enough to provide for anybody to learn.

[@noahway13]

@@quinncampbell1182 Did something get deleted? Anyway, I loved the back and forth presentation and the easy to follow descriptions

[@acbenepe]

I was on the verge of flunking a highschool english class when my teacher said he would let me pass if I did a watercolor of the classical orders to hang in the classroom. Their now permanently etched in my brain. I passed the semester and the painting hung there for years.

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They’re* 🤦🏻‍♂️

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Good job man

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[@Honken]

If only all education held this level of excellency. Amazing content and execution, bravo!

[@mdavis11217]

if only all students were excellent! sadly we get sleepers and students who cant even watch these videos, too! but definitely, blame the educators.

[@NIKONGUY1960]

I took a brutal Art History class to learn this. This is so much more pleasant.

[@foxlunettaart8812]

I find it very interesting how much of the very same knowledge is available online as in a reputable college. Thanks no doubt, to people like these wonderful graduates. A little ironic, but hey.

[@nutzeeer]

you can learn literally everything on youtube for free. Only thing missing is the slip of paper saying you learned it. Just thinking, with knowledge being so readily available do we even need a proof of learn anymore?

[@NotLegato]

@@nutzeeer universities force you to learn much more than you'd bother with if you had no obligations. they also give you a reasonable path from 0 understanding to an expert's knowledge, which the average person wouldn't be able to easily divine. i doubt your knowledge will- regardless of how many youtube videos you watch- ever equal that of a graduate student in the topic.

[@nutzeeer]

@@NotLegato if you know what knowledge means you can judge yourself. of course having help at starting from 0 is good, but there is no reason to not have such courses on youtube. take biochemistry for example. AK Lectures explains this well. Not as deeply as university does, but enough to give a very good understanding of things.

[@robrtarnold]

My art history teacher was amazing...she worked on a lot of famous sites. And the Louvre.

[@roidanielsen6033]

dont know how i ended up here, but this class really drew me in, and im not really insterested in architecture beyond "wow that looks cool" or "that building is ugly"

[@romilozano918]

A very good detailed analysis of the Doric. Nonetheless it is regrettable that the presentation of ionic and Corinthian was a bit rushed towards the end of the video. So much should be said about the base and the fluting, the frieze . Also a video regarding the Tuscan the Composite and the much later developed Colossal order would be more than appreciated; Great work.

[@giovanniloquellano739]

It was not rushed because the foundation was explained clearly at doric. So the creator just presented the differences of doric to ionic and corinthian. But still, the video is very commendable.

[@LaurenDIYLaurenDIY]

Yeah

[@legalvampire8136]

Never heard of the Collosal Order. Off to Google what it was. Was there not a less used Greek style of columns called the Aetolian?

[@lemonlemon7272]

Ikr

[@dogblessamerica]

I think colossal (or "giant") order just refers to columns or pilasters that span two or more storeys. Those columns can be Doric, Ionic, Corinthian etc

[@carloenavarro]

Thank you for making us understand these things in a more clear and fun way.

[@FRESHboosters]

The Corinthian design is by far my favorite, and the most elaborate (IMO) form of classical architecture! Great video. Thank you

[@theRPGmaster]

Same here, the best art reflects nature.

[@Acid_Viking]

It's impressive that the ancients were able to develop fairly good architecture, even without aluminum siding.

[@dragonmartijn]

5:24 The Parthenon is a mixed style building: there are also Ionic colums at the inside (at the actual Parthenon).

[@alizulfiqar2559]

I am truly impressed. Two you remind me my college days when we used to have so precise and focused discussions on art and architecture. Great job, and please keep doing.

[@1cnevarez]

I'm glad a video was done of this. I always found it very interesting in my art history class. Since I was a kid these columns they always got my attention. Such history☺

[@kka337]

Thank you so much for making this video. I am currently taking art history online and I was finding it very hard to understand the classical orders and this video has helped me a lot with understanding the vocabulary and and the orders in general.

[@simplebudd]

I could never thank you enough for this presentation. This could be presented solely by itself in art history class. I use it as a wrap after my lecture which moves at a slower pace with illustrations. THANK YOU !

[@mujjuzijonathanemmanuel9897]

well explained thank you Dr. Steven and Beth.

[@nippop2710]

i am an architecture student, and your videos really helps me a lot , thank you. :D

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man, even after 10 years you guys are JUST AMAZING. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

[@Joebunkyss1]

a bricklayer will see bad brickwork everywhere....occasionally....he will delight in good. AND THIS VID IS GOOD.

[@hyekang3850]

It's the nature of the order. What can you do ??...

[@yonisali3879]

I think any person that is Great at their profession Feels a sense of pride when they see a other professional who has their T's crossed and their i's dotted. And wants to take their glove off and slap anyone across the face who dwells in imbecile town when it comes to their bread and butter.

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Agreed, It's like a poke in the eye.

[@rebeccax592]

Your video on Ravenna helped me on my research for Galla Placidia. Thank you. This is also wonderful.

[@Vurti0]

I LOVE the calm and relaxed tone of your voices! It makes me pay attention and relax at the same time. And i now feel excited to know that i will notice and appreciate architecture in the future. Thanks!

[@KenDanieli]

HATE their voices.

[@MrNooneseesme]

A very clear and well illustrated presentation. Informative and educational. So much of these styles can be seen today by me, at least in England. the styles also feature on antique and sometimes fine modern furniture

[@spljicna]

Thank you for all your videos i watched them all with joy.

Nice video. Nice narrative duet.

[@yacineaouimeur]

that was sooooo helpful, i needed this too much for my project, thank you doctors.

[@beatusSLO]

This is great, thank you. I learned about all this in school, but this refreshed it nicely, since I forgot some ... :)

[@playgroundjustice3587]

Tapered columns allow more light into the structure.

[@anikets4188]

That's not the real reason they gave tapered columns, but it was an optical correction that made columns look straight from far distance

[@playgroundjustice3587]

@@Hi-xu9xn , no.

[@franzm4945]

@@anikets4188 this is what I also learned in architectural school. It was all about proportion.

[@anikets4188]

@@franzm4945 yup! There were 4-5 more optical corrections done to maintain a good view and proportion......

[@SpaghettiToaster]

@@anikets4188 Wouldn't they have to be tapered the other way for that to be true?

[@ashleyend]

i've watched so many of your videos I feel like we're old friends, thank you!!

[@bjmgraphics617]

Reminds me of my art history class. Very informative with great detail. This video can be helpful for 3D artist or Minecraft builders.

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Minecraft, right, this country is in great shape.

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Really a nice rundown. Probably the best video I've seen of you guys' to date! Keep it up! :)

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Thank you! Your dialog is amazing way to present information :-)

[@jleviathan9766]

This was very helpful and well explained, thank you!

[@rcm926]

The most engaging video on this topic I've seen so far

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Excellent refresher lesson! Thank you!

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Wow! This was very high quality. Subscribed. Thank you Professors.

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Once again, your style is so didactic and easy to understand! A must for students of art history!

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Marvelous content and exposition. You're great thanks a lot!

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Fantastic video! Very well presented and explained

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Thank you very much, the explanation is amusing and great

[@SB5SimulationsFerroviairesEEP]

Big Thank You for the explications! Stéph.

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Thank you very much for the good information! so helpful!

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Fantastically well mad video, thank you so much!

[@KimYung_GemmeryJayne_Luong]

this is really helpful for my Greek assignment, just need it inn time!

[@aaronteodoro9061]

Compared to School discussion about this topic, this video makes me listen attentively.

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Ihren kunstwissenschaftlichen Stil finde ich genial, durch Gespräche und Diskussionen Erkenntnis zu gewinnen. Unglaublich bereichernd und hilfreich beim Lernen zu sehen. Herzlichsten Dank und Gruß. 🙏

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Vielen Dank für Ihre freundlichen Worte, sie werden sehr geschätzt.

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Super cool videos you have here. Much thanks from Singapore

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I LOVE LEARNING ABOUT GREEK AND ROMAN ARCHITECTURE. SO MUCH FUN!!!!

[@Plan73]

And now i see modern architects using the columns like a straight smooth tube, and it looks so DULL.

[@bubbapinks5175]

I wish we had more variety in our architecture. I know it's probably not financially viable for a business to want to look like an ancient greek temple but it would be a great local landmark and would be nice to see. There is a masonic temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma that has the Doric columns with a base. It's one of the most unique looking buildings in our entire state.

[@parkergarlough9574]

I agree! Honestly even the unique roof of a classic Pizza Hut is refreshing even despite the corporate associations, just because it provides a bit of variety. We need more stylized choices - even if it's just a different color paint.

[@grantbmilburn]

In my home town we had any number of neoclassical buildings, generally built before 1920 and used by banks. Of course the banks have long since moved to functional boxes, while the classical buildings are now used by boutiques and fast-food restaurants.

[@Blackrew]

Very informative and easy to watch/understand

[@Ganpignanus]

Fascinating and well explained.

[@charliehorse143]

I am a homeschool mom teaching my kids Art History and I LOVE, LOVE your videos. You have pic of what you are talking about and in this video, drawing on it. Thank you so much, we love these videos. My kids are 8 & 10 BTW, that's how amazing your videos are!!

[@smarthistoryvideos]

Thank you for the kind word! So glad to hear the videos are helpful.

[@bobwilson7684]

@@smarthistoryvideos all this sounds reasonable until the finding of gobekli teppe....sure that you do it with all your good will, no doubt, all my respect, but the structures themselves merged with those "decorations", the images, illustrations and engravings, all that tells a very different story, better not going on the question how all that was constructed, exactly, the lack of original sketches and handmade drawings, plans with notes on the sides, handmade corrections....impossible biographys of so many of those architects, being one of the little things known, about many, that they were members of the Free Masons...and it has been widely shown by many researchers, that the same symbolic architecture, using the same exact ideas and concepts, has been present all over the world along all human history, the video in itself, couldn´t be done without the mention of stonehenge....why not gobekli teppe too ;) ?

[@pastelpanta2966]

How are your kids now? 😆 I'm around the same age as them. I'm 14 hahaha

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I just learned so much more then in school!😮

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Gaude Moran and books

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Seriously. I love their videos.

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yes we too !!

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Than*

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U didn't learn anything read my comment to the people responsible for this video

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I have my exam tomorrow and this is so helpful. Thank you so much for this video!!

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Simply perfect!!!

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So helpful, thank you very much!

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Great job! You two….. amazing

[@CorgiCorner]

Stumbled here on accident. Stayed for intriguing information and the ability to flex on people with random knowledge. Thank you

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Great information and explanations of the Architectural feaures

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dawg what the heck is that pfp

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It is so informative and useful. Thank you :D

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Nice architectural class! Oh my, really reminds me back then, flashbacks. I wish it is this exciting when learning in Architecture school! I did an efbee group focus on 'Contemporary Abode'. If you want to say something...please 🙏🙏don't hesitate to join or contribute😁 I know there are many masters here

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Thanks for this video, really Informative!

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Hey, S&B, I am in China, and I've been watching your videos recently day and night, thank you for openning up a wonderful world for me!

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Very well explained, you do such a brilliant job drs. I didn't know about the basket myth :) Thank you!

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Fascinating!

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Thanks for this.

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Excellent. Thank you

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Bonito documental 👍👍👍

[@jaydee6414]

Great video. Just one thing though, the top right picture in the last set classified as Corinthian (with the little wire fence around it), shouldn't that be classed as Composite? (the Corinthian leafage plus the Ionic scroll combined at the top corners).

[@thoithoithoudam767]

Thank u .. really helpful for my Architectural study

[@RyansLegend16]

Classical architecture and art is incredible, I hope it sees a revival again here in America.

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Amen

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Return to traditional western aesthetics

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:|

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Fascinating

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i truly love your videos my art history prof had us watch specific ones but i ended up watching them all for fun!! your guys’ dynamic is energetic and fun and i love how fast you go cause i got ADHD lmfao y’all are great❤️

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SOOO HELPFUL

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this helped me understand. thank u :)

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nice presentation! thumbs up!:)

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You guys saved me of my exam of history of art

[@HerreraCam]

Thank you!

[@MrCuddlyable3]

I would like to see a similar study of the shape of balusters.

[@davidm9454]

Great video! Does anybody know what the function of the scamillus is? (Unfortunately it wasn’t mentioned in the video, but it is the intention under the hypotrachelion)

[@kratosrox4838]

thank you

[@duantorruellas716]

Very nice video , I love the pure hard info like this . the Doric is the only one without a base. The 3 columns each have a name that describes a virtue , like strength and beauty. Can you guess what they are?

[@gregoryvschmidt]

Entasis is also important because a tapered column with straight sides ( no obvious swelling as with entasis) actually looks concave

[@Shelcea305]

Thank you very very much

[@mbodi1]

lovin' it

[@taniadunkerlyra8553]

Thank you!!!

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Excellent.

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There is a full-size 1:1 replica of the Parthenon in Nashville, TN including the statue of Athena inside.

[@6663000]

Great video

[@sjuvanet]

thank you.

[@BrettonFerguson]

You won't realize how large Doric Shafts were until you see one in person.

[@fredfreddy8684]

I just remember the basics from school. Doric is the plain capital. Ionic is the ram's horns capital. Corinthian is the acanthus-leafed capital. Acanthus leaf represents immortality for some reason. It makes a big comeback during the new-classical period with the French Enlightenment thingy.

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Wow that's great

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I love that this content exists, thank you.