Grotesque
Query URLs
https://term.museum-digital.de/md-de/tag/10770
- Note
- In architecture, a grotesque (/ɡrəʊˈtɛsk/) or chimera (/kʌɪˈmɪərə/) is a fantastic or mythical figure used for decorative purposes. Chimerae are often described as gargoyles, although the term gargoyle technically refers to figures carved specifically as terminations to spouts which convey water away from the sides of buildings. In the Middle Ages, the term babewyn was used to refer to both gargoyles and chimerae. This word is derived from the Italian word babuino, which means "baboon".
A grotesque is a decorative feature found in architecture carved from stone often depicting whimsical, mythical creatures in dramatic or humorous ways. Most commonly grotesques are a decoration that surround waterspouts and drains largely on historic buildings. Grotesques, also often referred to as chimera, have historically been a key element of architecture in many periods including the Renaissance and Medieval periods and have stylistically developed in conjunction with these times. While they depicted a wide range of mythical subjects, Grotesques are often hybrids of different mythical, human, and animalistic features.Although used mainly for decorative purposes, many scholars describe grotesques as being used to ward off evil and as reminders of the separation of the earth and the divine. Grotesques are predominantly carved into buildings of religious significance, in particular churches and cathedrals. Despite their presence in religious spaces, their anthropomorphic designs are largely not directly religious and instead are often more whimsical without religious connotations. They commonly exist on high ledges and rooftops and are frequently positioned out of view from common areas. Prominent examples of preserved grotesques exist on buildings such as the Florence Cathedral and Notre-Dame de Paris. Historically, grotesques have also had significant design influence from sculptural trends and often their architects were originally sculptors or artists. This meant that the widespread emergence of grotesques also often converged with popular art styles that existed at the time, especially the combined rise of the Gothic style and the addition of grotesques in architecture. Key architects that often included grotesques as a feature in their designs included Brunelleschi and Gundulf of Rochester.
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Zeitz, Brühl Nr. 32
In dem barocken Gebäude war...
Object information
Image: Museum Schloss Moritzburg Zeitz - CC BY-NC-SA
References
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