Nicholas Assi
June 3, 2015
Modern Culture and the Arts
Professor Bomboy
Neo-Classical Architecture found in
Hanover Pennsylvania
Many of America’s earliest buildings were influenced by
the Neoclassical architectural movement, which itself sought to replicate many
Greek and Roman designs. A perfect example of this is the PNC bank of Hanover,
originally the Hanover Saving Fund Society, located one block away from Hanover
Square (Hanover’s caged Lion, 2015). Many early banks in America were built
using Neoclassical designs, and the PNC bank is a perfect example of that (“Hanover
Historic District” 1996). The building uses the Greek Ionic order of
Architecture in its design, which was a much more delicate, feminine, and
thinner order then the original Doric order (“The Classical Orders” 2013). The building also has a large amount of Roman
features incorporated into its design, such as the iconic eagle holding bundle
of arrows, which was modeled off of the roman Fasces, and represented the power
and authority of the building being a symbol of the U.S. Government.
The PNC bank is a very clear example of the Ionic order
in the manner in how the buildings pillars are designed. The pillars of the
building appear to become thinner at the top, which was characteristic of both
the Ionic and Doric orders. However, the use of volutes at the top of the
pillars clearly classifies the building as influenced by the Ionic order (Fiero
123). The volute is a spiral, scroll like capitol of the Ionic column, and was
one of the most distinguishing traits of the order. The base of the pillar also
makes use of stacked rings, which was also used in Ionic architecture order
(“The Classical Orders” 2013). The building even makes use of a variation of
Frieze. Two human figures are designed on the building, jutting out and
enhancing the overall artistic design (Fiero 125). However, there are Roman
designs in the building as well. At the entrance of the building is a large
arch used in the design of the window. This arch is actually framed by the
variation and adaption of the Greek Frieze. The Greeks never made use of the
arch design, neither for practical or cosmetic appearances (Fiero 153). Therefore
this is clearly drawn from Roman inspiration. The Arch is mainly used to
enhance the design of a large glass window, and increases the overall cosmetic
appearance. Another, yet less direct example of Roman influence is the eagle at
the top of the building. The Eagle is itself the symbol of the American
government. Yet in the birds claws it holds a bundle of arrows. This clearly
drew inspiration from the Roman Fasces, which was a bundle of sticks that
represented power and strength, exactly what the U.S. government wanted to portray
(Fiero 155). Another noteworthy thing to point out is that the pillars do not
make use of fluting. Many neo-classical architects in America often omitted the
fluting, so this is not entirely unusual.
While taking pictures of this particular building, it’s
very clear to me while the Ionic order was chosen. Banks were huge places of
importance, especially in early America. They were the location of vast amounts
of money and wealth. They were symbols of the government themselves, in that
even if they were private institutions run by companies, they still represented
the wealth and security a government would need to run a country. As a result
they had to look strong, and using the massive pillars tied to a strong ancient
culture like Greece helped emphasize these traits. Yet they also had to look
elegant and artistic, to symbolize their high-class importance and the refined
tastes of a confident government. The Doric order was not as elegant or refined
looking as the Ionic order and the Ionic orders use of Volutes and other
features helped give off a more artistic, refined look that gave off an
impression of delicate, yet still strong (“The Classical Orders” 2013). Banks
had replaced temples in importance, replacing ancient gods with current day
money, and as such were the closest modern day equivalent of those past temples
(Fiero 153). They had to look as important as possible, because banks were some
of the most important places in existence, especially in early America. They
were symbols of the capitalist economic system of America, and so had to be
treated with respect.
It’s abundantly clear that multiple Architects and their
ideas influenced the design of the PNC Bank of Hanover. One example is the
Scottish Architect James Gibbs (1682-1754). Although he was born in England, he
made frequent use of architectural hybrids. He designed many churches that
combined Classical and Gothic Elements (Fiero 153). Although the PNC bank was
made after he died, in America, and was not a church, by showing the potential
of hybrid designs, he helped establish the concept, thus making it more
acceptable for architects to use the concept in their own designs. The combined
Greek and Roman themes of the bank help establish it as unique, giving it an
imposing, yet elegant style all its own. The hybridization of these two
cultures and their art styles was clearly successful in its design.
Another
individual who clearly helped influence the building is Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826). Thomas Jefferson was one of the most powerful men in early America,
and was one of the richest and most influential proponents of Neoclassical
design in American buildings (Fiero 155). He believed using Neoclassical design
in American buildings would create a powerful and strong image for the young
nation. As such, he himself designed the Virginian state capitol using these
themes. Thomas Jefferson no doubt contributed to the popularity of Neoclassical
influence in American buildings, and the PNC banks, strong, solid influence no
doubt helps to prove Jefferson’s opinion of neoclassic style giving off a
strong atmosphere as correct.
The
PNC bank of Hanover definitely best represents the Greek Ionic order, with some
Roman influences. This is shown by the style of pillar, the use of an arch in
the design, and the strong yet elegant appearance of the building itself.
Helping to serve as a middle ground between the beauty of the Corinthian order
with the solid strength of the Doric order, the buildings use of Ionic features
is a perfect example of everything the proponent of Neoclassicism hoped to
replicate from the Greek and Roman cultures. It gives off a strong, yet elegant
look to it, one of security, yet also high class. Perfect for how the early
American founders envisioned a bank should be as a symbol of the U.S. government.
Works Cited
Fiero, Gloria K. “The
Humanistic Tradition.” 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.
Fiero, Gloria K. “The
Humanistic Tradition.” 6th ed. Vol. 4. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.
“Hanover Historic District” Livingplaces.com Web May 8, 1996. June
3, 2015. http://www.livingplaces.com/PA/York_County/Hanover_Borough/Hanover_Historic_District.html
“Hanover’s caged Lion” VisualRealia.com Web May 10, 2015. June
3, 2015. http://www.visualrealia.com/content/hanovers-caged-lion
“The Classical Orders” Khanacademy.org Web May 17, 2013. June
3, 2015. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/beginners-guide-greece/v/the-classical-orders
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