Plate 93. Various Doorways and Windows

Window from the Temple of Minerva Polias at Athens:

The design of window trims is similar to that of doorway trims only it is of a simpler character. The frieze was generally narrower and at times the cornice was missing; consoles were never used. The ornamentation on the window of this Temple is of the simplest form. It consists only of an architrave-like trim, which, at the head, has a so-called ear or crosset which is formed by the ends of the lintel projecting. It also answers æsthetic requirements, for the window being narrower at the top than at the bottom requires a projecting lintel of this kind over the inclined jambs, especially when, as in our example, the crowning cornice is omitted. The space between the columns did not permit of a cornice in this case. The closing of the window opening was presumably effected by means of a grille.

Window from the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli:

The location of the windows of this Temple at both sides of the doorway is shown at Plate 63. On this plate is shown the exterior of the window trim, which is similar to that of the doorway. The sill is paneled. The omission of the frieze is commendable, for it would only have increased the slender proportion of the whole. The windows have on the interior of the cella a similar trim, which is carried around on all four sides.

Doorway from the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli:

The crowning members of the doorway cornice lie at the same height as the abacus of the column capital, and the entire doorway receives an overweighted effect in comparison with the pteroma, the column spaces of which are considerably narrower than the opening of the doorway.

Doorway from the Pantheon at Rome:

Our plate contains only a sketch of this extraordinary large doorway, which, however, will answer for discussion, as the principal details were given on Plate 85. It forms the only entrance to the rotunda of the Pantheon (Plates 64 and 65). It is the same width above as below, and herein coincides with Vitruvius' description of large doorways. The head of this doorway is a very skillful modification of the principal cornice or entablature of the interior order (See Plates 65 and 85). The filling is similar to that shown on the next plate.