Inspiration for Imagination at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Since the prehistoric period, naturalistic depictions of animals were created based upon observational memory.  A landmark shift in the arts developed with the creation of fantasy creatures. This was indicative of an artist’s imagination.  One of these mythical creatures, inspired by  the civilization of ancient Greece, is included on top of a pediment at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The griffin, a composite of a lion and eagle, is haunched on a corner of the museum roof.  Under its’ perch is a brightly painted entablature supported by fluted Ionic columns. The ancient Greeks sometimes placed small sculptures, referred to as acroterion, on top of their buildings.    

Pediment. Philadelphia Museum of Art

This entire façade of the museum emulates the style of ancient Greek architecture. Other figurative sculptures are included within the triangular pediment of the Philadelphia Museum as a reminder of ancient Greek aesthetics and mythology. Another entrance to this museum has Corinthian capitals in blue, green, gold and rose. The imaginary creature of the griffin has also been adopted as a symbol for the Philadelphia Museum of Art logotype.

Reference:

Stokstad, Marilyn.  Art History, A View of the West. Third edition, Volume one. 

     Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall, 2008.