The Influence Of Apollo And The Muses On Parnassus

Although not known at the time, the discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum was to become one of the top archaeological discoveries of all time, and change the course of architecture among the modern world. Through discoveries during excavations, Pompeii and Herculaneum became huge inspirations of the creation of neoclassicism. Thus, it is believed the artworks found in their cities, are the explanations behind the surge in popularity for classical art, during the 18th and 19th century. Whilst the artwork inspired the masses, so did the advanced architecture discovered during the excavations. In particular the arched and domed style became hugely present all over the world, becoming the worlds most popular style of building.

For thousands of
The artwork, ‘Apollo and the Muses on Parnassus’, contains many similarities to the ancient roman style, as it depicts religious scenes and lustful romance. In the center, Mengs portrays Apollo as the sun god and leader of the patron arts, surrounded by the muses that follow him for guidance. The Muses that surround him are depicted with their specific religious tokens, such as the laurel of wreath or mask. Within their lustful gazes and body language we can identify that this painting is both traditionally religious, with an additional twist of romance. It is this combination that links his work to the neoclassicism period and the fresco ‘Villa of the Mysteries’, created in 60-40 BC. This work discovered during the excavation of Pompeii depicts the religious idealisms taken within the initiation of a woman’s’ preparation for marriage. This work reflects a woman’s role within the home and her dedication to the god, Dionysus, as she succumbs to this religious process. Historians recognise that this work made a huge influence on the neoclassicism period, due to its aesthetic combination of mythology, religion and romance.

Over hundreds years of excavations has proven that the Roman culture was very advanced when it came to architecture. Thus, the architecture revealed at Pompeii and Herculaneum, proved to inspired hundred of architects. Even today, over two
As many French architects studied in Rome, their styles were easily incorporated into the lives of the wealthy French population. This is revealed in source 2 as the Parisian’s built a Pantheon between years 1758 – 1790, inspired by Roman architecture and their Pantheon built between 18 – 128AD. The French building has identifiable similarities to the architecture particularly found in Herculaneum. The column structure that marks both the interior and exterior of the Parisian Pantheon is seen all through Herculaneum, particularly the interior of the Basilica. The high ceiling and arched halls seen in the Pantheon, also evidently present in the Sacred Area at Herculaneum. This revealed that interior columns and further arches were a continued popularity inside the French buildings. The interior design is much inspired by the discoveries in the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, with high arched ceilings and walls covered in frescos or paintings. The curved walls were quite often coloured soft pale tints like the natural walls of the ancient cities. Source three depicts the interiors of the College of Augustales and the House of the Great Portal, both discovered in the city of Herculaneum. The images depict walls decorated to the ceiling with artworks and interior use of columns. The rich red colour that plasters the