Revealing the Parthenon's logos optikos

摘要

Ancient architects incorporated into their temples subtle adjustments of form, position, and proportion that have come to be known as optical corrections. Column shafts taper, although with a fine convex augmentation known as entasis. Peristyle columns and entablatures incline toward the middle, while virtually every horizontal surface from foundations to pediments bows up in the middle. The intercolumniations, the space between columns, widens out from base to top of shaft, along with the corner columns being enlarged relative to other columns. The adjustments of form correct the perceptual condition known as the irradiation effect, in which architectural elements appear attenuated when in silhouette. The adjustments of position produce a corrected image, although not in the strict sense of correcting an apparent illusion evident with the adjustments of form. The adjustments of proportion synthesize the architectonic and perceptual aspects of the previous two groups. Masons adjusted architectural elements' height, width, or both to insure apparent uniformity of size.