Actually, the obelisk is not a classical structure. It's Egyptian, rather than Greek or Roman. It's ancient, but it is, in fact, not particularly appropriate for Washington, whose public persona was shaped on Roman models. I don't think anybody cares about that or should--I don't. But there is a pretty reactionary flavor to the idea that…
Actually, the obelisk is not a classical structure. It's Egyptian, rather than Greek or Roman. It's ancient, but it is, in fact, not particularly appropriate for Washington, whose public persona was shaped on Roman models. I don't think anybody cares about that or should--I don't. But there is a pretty reactionary flavor to the idea that abstract forms we're all familiar with from the distant past are fine, but newly conceived forms (abstract or not) are unacceptable because they aren't part of our existing image vocabulary, and so require explanation.
Is a short paragraph "way too much" explanation? That's all you need here, and it can be super short if the original photo is mounted beside it.
I did say “classical” small c, not Classical as I was referring to the age of the style and not it’s origin. But your info is correct to be sure. If the original photo is needed, perhaps the sculpture isn’t.
I’m sorry, I do see other people’s points, but it doesn’t work for me.
Actually, the obelisk is not a classical structure. It's Egyptian, rather than Greek or Roman. It's ancient, but it is, in fact, not particularly appropriate for Washington, whose public persona was shaped on Roman models. I don't think anybody cares about that or should--I don't. But there is a pretty reactionary flavor to the idea that abstract forms we're all familiar with from the distant past are fine, but newly conceived forms (abstract or not) are unacceptable because they aren't part of our existing image vocabulary, and so require explanation.
Is a short paragraph "way too much" explanation? That's all you need here, and it can be super short if the original photo is mounted beside it.
I did say “classical” small c, not Classical as I was referring to the age of the style and not it’s origin. But your info is correct to be sure. If the original photo is needed, perhaps the sculpture isn’t.
I’m sorry, I do see other people’s points, but it doesn’t work for me.