Architecture and Gardens at the Getty Villa “Architecture” 1 © 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

Architecture and Gardens at the

Getty Villa

“Architecture”

1© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

What is a villa?


The Getty Villa Is…• It is a modern reconstruction of an ancient

Roman villa. Its design was inspired by the Villa dei Papiri, an ancient Roman villa located in Herculaneum, Italy.

• It is also a museum dedicated to ancient Greek, Etruscan, and Roman art.

http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2005/images/pompeii_map.gif 3© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

The Villa dei Papiri

A drawing of the Villa dei Papiri’s floor plan by Karl Weber, the Swiss engineer who discovered the ruins of the ancient villa in the 18th century.


A Roman Villa: Then and Now

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then now© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

Model of an Ancient Roman Villa

http://romanum.historicus.pl/Zdj/planosdom.jpg


Like us, Romans decorated their houses on the inside and outside.

What kind of decorations do you think the Romans used?

Think about your own house and make a list of its decorations. What decorations are inside? Outside?


• Peristyle

• Antefix

• Waterspout

• Fresco

• Mosaic

Let’s learn more about these...

Architectural elements at the Getty Villa include:


PeristyleA peristyle is a courtyard with a covered walkway all around it. The courtyard that a peristyle surrounds often contains a garden.

How many peristyles do you see on the map of the Getty Villa?


Peristyles at the Getty Villa

Outer Peristyle Inner Peristyle


Antefix

• An antefix is a decorative tile used on ancient buildings to cover the end of the roof tiles.

• Antefixes kept birds from building their nests in the eaves (edge of the roof) and also protected the area from rain and other elements.


Here is an example of an ancient antefix. It is more than 2,500 years old!

Do you remember... What is an antefix and where can you find it?

An Ancient Antefix

Antefix Unknown artistEtruscan, Caere, 510–500 B.C. Terracotta and slip


Where to find antefixes at the Getty Villa?

When you visit the Getty Villa, point your nose to the sky, and you will be see many antefixes.

roof!They are on the...


Waterspout

• A waterspout is a hole or a pipe that directs water out of a fountain, or off a roof.

• In ancient times, some waterspouts had scary creatures on them. People believed these creatures protected the water that people drank from the spouts.


An Ancient Greek Waterspout

• Do you remember... what is a waterspout, and where can you find it?

• Why would a lion’s head be used to decorate a waterspout?

Lion's-Head Waterspout Unknown artistGreek, South Italy, about 450 B.C. Limestone


Explore the Villa gardens and look around... You will find waterspouts like this!

Where to find waterspouts at the Getty Villa?


Fresco

A fresco is a painting that is made on a wall of wet plaster using pigments (finely ground mineral powders from the earth).


• What is happening in this scene? What are the men holding?

• Where in an ancient villa might this fresco have been found?

An Ancient Roman Fresco

Wall Fragment with a Scene of Meal PreparationUnknown artistRoman, Italy, A.D. 50–75 Plaster and pigment 18© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

Walk around the Outer Peristyle and you will find frescoes like this decorating the walls.Where else might you find frescoes?

On the ceilings!

Where to find frescoes at the Getty Villa?


Mosaic A mosaic is a picture or decoration made of small, usually colored, pieces of material such as stone, tile, or glass—called tesserae.


An Ancient Roman Mosaic

• Have you seen a mosaic before?

• If so, where did you see it? If not, in what kind of buildings do you imagine you’d find mosaics?

Mosaic Floor with a Boxing SceneUnknown artistGallo-Roman, present-day Villelaure, France, about A.D. 175 Stone and glass


Look at your feet while you walk around the Getty Villa. You will find a lot a mosaics on the...floors!

Where to find mosaics at the Getty Villa?

© 2005 J. Paul Getty Trust



Other Mosaics at the Getty Villa

Hint: You will not find these mosaicson the floors!


Architecture and Gardens at the Villa

“Gardens”


What is a garden?

• Do you have a garden at your home?

• What kinds of plants are in your garden?

• Are plants only used in a garden?


Plants in the Getty Villa gardens include:• Apple trees• Olive trees• Grape vines• Ivy• Acanthus• Date palms• Pomegranate trees• Herbs


The Nature of Art: Plants in the Ancient World

• What do you think of when you think about apples?

• Have you heard about or read any fairy tales that have apples in them?


Apples in Ancient Myth• Is the apple a good or bad object in the

story of Snow White?

• Can you think of myths from other cultures with apples in them? Do apples seem to bring about good or bad things?

• The ancients told myths in which apples were symbols both of love and suffering.


Where to find apples at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: A bronze statue of Aphrodite depicts the goddess holding an apple.

• Outdoors: You can see live apple trees in the Herb Garden.

AphroditeUnknown ArtistGreek, 200 –150 B.C. Bronze


Olives in Ancient Art and Myth• The olive was a sacred attribute of

the goddess Athena.

• Olives were one of the most valuable substances available to the ancients.

• Olives were also believed to have several medicinal properties that could cure both colds and fevers.


Where to find olives at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: An Attic vase depicts an owl—the animal associated with Athena—between two olive branches.

• Outdoors: You can see live olive trees in the Herb Garden.

Water Jar with an Owl: Shoulder Attributed to the Group of the Floral Nolans Greek, Athens, about 480–470 B.C. Terracotta


Olives and Victory

Wreaths of olive branches were bestowed to athletic champions of the Olympic games and the Heraia games (games for women only).

Victorious YouthUnknown artistGreek, 300–100 B.C. Bronze


Grapes in Ancient Myth

What is made from grapes?WINE!

• Wine was believed to have the ability to lift magic spells and to reveal liars.

• Romans also used wine to cure several medical ailments including chest pain and cough.


Where to find grapes at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: Images of grape vines wrap around this terracotta cup.

• Outdoors: You can see live grape vines in the Herb Garden and the Outer Peristyle Garden.

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Cup with Grapevine ReliefsUnknown artistRoman, Smyrna, 50–1 B.C. Lead-glazed terracotta


Ivy in Ancient Art and Myth

• The Romans believed that ivy’s evergreen nature linked it to immortality.

• They also believed that the mere presence of the plant could inspire profound thoughts.

• It was a favorite plant in gardens and was often a decorative pattern in works of art.


Where to find ivy at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: This image of Bacchus depicts him with his signature crown of grape vines and ivy.

• Outdoors: You can see live ivy in the Outer Peristyle.

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Head of the Young BacchusUnknown artistRoman, A.D. 1–50 Bronze and silver


Acanthus in Ancient Art and Myth

• The acanthus plant was depicted on the capitals of Corinthian columns.

• It was a symbol of hope and eternal life.

• Boiled acanthus roots were used to treat burns, sprains, and gout. 37© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

Where to find acanthus at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: On the Handle in the Shape of a Triton, acanthus leaves echo the splashing of the waves.

• Outdoors: You can see live acanthus in the Outer Peristyle. It’s also represented on the Corinthian columns in the Outer Peristyle.

Handle in the Shape of a Triton Unknown artistGreek, Macedonia or Illyria, 100–50 B.C. Silver and gold


Date Palms in Ancient Art and Myth

• Palms held a special place in ceremonies and rituals because of their rarity in Greece.

• Palms referred to both life and death, and more importantly, the triumph of life over death.

• They provided hope in the afterlife, and often appear on burial monuments.


Where to find date palms at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: The palm became a popular motif known as the palmette. You’ll find them on several works of art.

• Outdoors: You can see live date palms in the Outer Peristyle.


Roses in Ancient Art and Myth

• Roses were found everywhere in the ancient world.

• Where have you seen roses before?• What do roses represent? • What happens with a rose in the

story of Sleeping Beauty?


Where to find roses at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: Stylized roses are used to decoratively fill the empty spaces between the lions and panthers on this pot.

• Outdoors: You can see live rose bushes in the Outer Peristyle.

Pitcher with Lions and Panthers Attributed to the Painter of Vatican 73 Greek, Corinth, 650–625 B.C. Terracotta


Pomegranates in Ancient Art and Myth

• Persephone ate pomegranate seeds while imprisoned by Hades, god of the Underworld. For every seed she ate, she must spend a month each year in the Underworld with him.

• During this period each year, Persephone’s mother Demeter—goddess of the earth—kills the earth’s plants in anger. This is how the ancients explained winter.

• Pomegranates were also a symbol of fertility.


Where to find pomegranates at the Getty Villa?

• In the Museum: On this pot, a mortal, Triptolemos, sits on a chariot to bring the secrets of agriculture to mortals. He is surrounded by Demeter and Hades, a goddess and god central to the myth of Persephone.

•Outdoors: You can see live pomegranate trees in the Outer Peristyle.

Mixing Vessel with TriptolemosAttributed to the Syleus Painter Greek, Athens, about 470 B.C. Terracotta


Herb Garden• Most Roman houses had a household herb garden.

• The Herb Garden at the Getty Villa contains plants that also grew in ancient times, including fruit trees, and medicinal and cooking herbs.


Herbs in the Getty Villa’s Herb Garden

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Spearmint Lemon-scented thyme© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

Herbs in the Getty Villa’s Herb Garden

Lovage Basil47© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust

Sculpture in the Getty Villa’s Gardens

Replica of a Bronze Statue Getty Villa, Inner Peristyle Garden

• Bronze and marble statues were placed in the gardens of Roman Villas.

• These statues were meant to spark conversation amongst the owner of the villa and his guests.

• The gardens at the Getty Villa are filled replicas of bronze statues found in the gardens of the Villa dei Papyri.

Replica of a BustGetty Villa, Inner Peristyle Garden


Now that you’ve seen them in the art... see them alive in the gardens!

Olive

Grape

Apple

Rose

Acanthus

Ivy

Date palm

Pomegranate


Find Works of Art in this Slideshow at the Getty Villa• Slide 12: Antefix, Etruscan, from Caere, 510 –500 B.C. (usually not on view)

http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12376• Slide 15: Lion’s-Head Waterspout, Greek, from South Italy, about 450 B.C. (Animals in Antiquity

gallery—Gallery 201C) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35537• Slide 18: Wall Fragment with a Scene of Meal Preparation, Roman, from Italy, A.D. 50–75. (Silver

Treasures gallery—Gallery 101D) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=9887• Slide 21: Mosaic Floor with a Boxing Scene, Gallo-Roman, from present-day Villelaure, France, about

A.D. 175 (Athletes and Competition gallery—Gallery 211) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=7662

• Slide 29: Aphrodite, Greek, 200–150 B.C. (Gods and Goddesses gallery—Gallery 104) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35423

• Slide 31: Water Jar with an Owl, Greek, from Athens, 480–470 B.C. (Gods and Goddessesgallery—Gallery 104). http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=14085

• Slide 32: Victorious Youth, Greek, 300–100 B.C. (The Victorious Youth gallery—Gallery 210) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=8912

• Slide 34: Cup with Grapevine Reliefs, Roman, from Smyrna in present-day Turkey, 50–1B.C. (Terracotta and MarbleVessels gallery—Gallery 101C) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35627

• Slide 36: Head of the Young Bacchus, Roman, A.D. 1–50 (Dionysos and the Theater gallery—Gallery 114) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35429

• Slide 38: Handle in the Shape of Triton, Greek, from Macedonia or Illyria, 100–50 B.C. (Luxury Vessels gallery—Gallery 105) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12944

• Slide 40: Crowning Decoration for a Grave Monument, Greek from Athens, about 320 B.C. (Funerary Sculpturegallery—Gallery 201B) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=9726

• Slide 42: Pitcher with Lions and Panthers, Greek, from Corinth, 650–625 B.C. (Animals inAntiquity gallery—Gallery 201C) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12923

• Slide 44: Mixing Vessel with Triptolemos, Greek, Athens, about 470 B.C. (Gods and Goddesses gallery—Gallery 104) http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=15110


Image Credits• Slide 3: John. P. Pratt http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2005/images/pompeii_map.gif • Slide 4: Norman Neuerburg papers in the Institutional Archives in Special Collections, Los Angeles, Research Library, the Getty research Institute, no. BU1 (10001). Guide to the Getty Villa. Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Trust, 2005, p. 43.• Slide 5: both images, De Franciscis, A. Pompeii: Monuments Past and Present. Rome: Vision s.r.l., 1995, p. 27. • Slide 6: Imperium Romanum web site. http://romanum.historicus.pl/Zdj/planosdom.jpg • Slide 9: © J. Paul Getty Trust• Slide 10: both images, Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 12: Gift of Leon Levy. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12376• Slide 13: Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 15: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35537• Slide 16: Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 18: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=9887 • Slide 19: Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 20: Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 21: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=7662• Slide 22: both images, © 2005 J. Paul Getty Trust• Slide 23: both images, Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 26: Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 29: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35423 • Slide 29: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 31: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=14085


• Slide 31: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 32: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=8912 • Slide 33: Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum • Slide 34: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35627 • Slide 34: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 36: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35429• Slide 36: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 37: Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 38: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California

http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12944• Slide 38: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 40: top left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=9726• Slide 40: top right, Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 40: bottom, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 42: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12923 • Slide 42: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 44: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=15110• Slide 45: Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 46: both images, Jeanette LaVere, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 47: both images, Jeanette LaVere, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 48: both images, Cynthia Querio, J. Paul Getty Museum• Slide 49: all photographs, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum

Image Credits, continued


Documents

Architecture and Gardens at the Getty Villa “Architecture” 1 © 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust