Tympanum (architecture)
In architecture, a tympanum (plural, tympana) is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch.[1] It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments.[2] Most architectural styles include this element.[3] In ancient Greek and Roman and in Christian architecture tympana usually contain religious imagery,[4] when on religious buildings, and are very often the most important, or only, location for monumental sculpture on the outside of a building. In classical architecture, and in classicising styles from the Renaissance onwards, major examples are usually triangular; in Romanesque architecture they have a semi-circular shape, or that of a thinner slice from the top of a circle, and in Gothic architecture they have a more vertical shape, coming to a point at the top. These shapes naturally influence the typical compositions of sculpture within the tympanum.
Bands of molding surrounding the tympanum are referred to as the archivolt.[5] In medieval French architecture the tympanum is often supported by a decorated pillar called a trumeau.
Contents
Gallery[edit]
-
The 2000-year-old SWAG[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon in Rome, Italy]] (the tympanum is the area inside the triangular pediment—plain here but was originally decorated)
-
One of the few sections of the sculpture of the tympanum of the Parthenon still in place; others are the Elgin marbles in London
-
Archivolts surrounding a tympanum of the west façade Strasbourg Cathedral, France
-
The three tympana on the main façade of Notre-Dame de Paris, France
-
Sculpted tympanum in Stralsund, Germany
-
Adoration of the Magi on a tympanum on Saint-Thiébaut Church, Thann, France
-
Religious scene in a tympanum, Saint Joseph church, Clermont-Ferrand, France
-
Scenes of the lives of Saint Peter and Mary, St Peter's, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
-
High-relief bronze tympanum of Writing, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, DC, USA
-
Tympanum (showing the tree of life) and archivolt at Church of St Mary and St David, Kilpeck
-
Tympanum showing Christ in Majesty with four attendant angels, Rowlestone, Herefordshire, UK
-
Typanum of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Philippines
.JPG)
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ "Glossary - Tympanum". Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
- ^ "Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture - tympanum". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
- ^ "Illustrated Architecture Dictionary - Tympanum". www.buffaloah.com. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
- ^ "Tympanum". www.OntarioArchitecture.com. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
- ^ "Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture - archivolt". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
External links[edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to tympanums. |
 |
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Tympanum. |
- Sculpted tympanums Chartres Cathedral, West Front, Central Portal
- Tympanum of the last Judgment - western portal of the abbey-church of Saint Foy
