Illustrated Glossary: Building Blocks

 

 

Architecture

The character or style of a building.

Many artists admired the grand architecture of Miss Florence’s house.

 

Image Caption:
The Griswold House, 2006

 

 

Capital

The decorative top to a column or pier.

The capitals of columns on the Griswold House were painted yellow to match the house.

 

Image Caption:
Capital seen on Griswold House, 2006

 

 

Column

A decorative pillar, most often composed of stone and typically having a cylindrical or polygonal shaft with a capital and usually a base.

The four columns on the front of the Griswold House are made of wood and are hollow inside.

 

Image Caption:
Matilda Browne (1869-1947)
Miss Florence’s
Oil on wood panel

 

 

Cornice

Any prominent, continuous, horizontally projecting feature surmounting a wall or other construction, or dividing it horizontally for compositional purpose.

The fancy cornice above the door in the art colony bedroom reminds us that the room was originally used as the parlor.

 

Image Caption:
Cornice in Art Colony Bedroom, 2006
Photograph by Joseph Standart

 

Dentil Molding

Any of a series of closely spaced, small rectangular blocks, used in classical architecture beneath the cornices.

In the moonlight, the dentil molding in the pediment of the Griswold House looks like large rows of teeth.

 

Image Caption:
Dentil Molding seen on Griswold House, 2006

 

 

Fanlight

A window over a door or another window, often in the shape of a fan (a semicircle or half an ellipse shape).

The light coming through the fanlight over the front door casts a shadow on the carpet.

 

Image Caption:
Fanlight seen on Griswold House, 2006


Medallion

A decorative element, usually rounded, often bearing objects represented in relief.

Imagine how pretty Miss Florence would have looked standing beneath the plaster medallion in the ceiling greeting her guests. 

 

Image Caption:
William Verplank Birney (1858-1909)
The Front Hall, 1908
Oil on canvas
Purchased with Funds from the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation

 

Pediment

A low gable, typically triangular with a horizontal cornice and raking cornices, surmounting a colonnade, and end wall, or a major division of a façade.

Many of the artists called the house a temple because of the classical looking pediment set atop four columns.

 

Image Caption:
The Griswold House, 2006

 

Portico

A structure consisting of a roof supported by columns or piers, usually attached to a building as a porch.

The key to any painting of the Griswold House is to get the portico over the columns right.

 

Image Caption:
Christmas card showing Griswold House

 

Quoins

Large size blocks of stone on the corners of buildings that form a decorative contrast with the adjoining wall.

The quoins on the corners of the Griswold House are painted white and made of wood.

 

Image Caption:
The Griswold House, 2006

Shutters

A hinged cover or screen for a window or door, usually fitted with louvers


The summer shutters on the door allow a breeze to enter the house while still blocking out the hot summer sun.

 

Image Caption:
The Griswold House, 2006