Architecture and Gardens at the
Getty Villa
“Architecture”
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
1
What is a villa?
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
2
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2005/images/pompeii_map.gif
3
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
4
A Roman Villa: Then and Now
then
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
now
5
Model of an Ancient Roman Villa
http://romanum.historicus.pl/Zdj/planosdom.jpg
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
6
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?
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
7
Architectural elements at the Getty Villa include:
• Peristyle
• Antefix
• Waterspout
• Fresco
• Mosaic
Let’s learn more about these...
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
8
Peristyle
A 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?
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
9
Peristyles at the Getty Villa
Outer Peristyle
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Inner Peristyle
10
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
11
An Ancient Antefix
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?
Antefix
Unknown artist
Etruscan, Caere, 510–500 B.C.
Terracotta and slip
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
12
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.
They are on the...
roof!
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
13
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
14
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 artist
Greek, South Italy, about 450 B.C.
Limestone
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
15
Where to find waterspouts at the Getty Villa?
Explore the Villa gardens and
look around... You will find
waterspouts like this!
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
16
Fresco
A fresco is a painting that is made on a wall of wet plaster using
pigments (finely ground mineral powders from the earth).
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
17
An Ancient Roman Fresco
• What is happening in this scene? What are the men holding?
• Where in an ancient villa might this fresco have been found?
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Wall Fragment with a Scene of Meal Preparation
Unknown artist
Roman, Italy, A.D. 50–75
Plaster and pigment
18
Where to find frescoes at the Getty Villa?
Walk around the Outer Peristyle
and you will find frescoes like this
decorating the walls.
Where else might you
find frescoes?
On the ceilings!
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
19
Mosaic
A mosaic is a picture or decoration made of small, usually colored,
pieces of material such as stone, tile, or glass—called tesserae.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
20
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 Scene
Unknown artist
Gallo-Roman, present-day Villelaure, France, about A.D. 175
Stone and glass
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
21
Where to find mosaics at the Getty Villa?
Look at your feet while you walk around the
Getty Villa. You will find a lot a mosaics on
the...
floors!
© 2005 J. Paul Getty Trust
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
© 2005 J. Paul Getty Trust
22
Other Mosaics at the Getty Villa
Hint: You will not find these mosaics
on the floors!
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
24
Architecture and Gardens at the Villa
“Gardens”
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
24
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?
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
25
Plants in the Getty Villa gardens include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Apple trees
Olive trees
Grape vines
Ivy
Acanthus
Date palms
Pomegranate trees
Herbs
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
26
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?
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
27
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
28
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.
Aphrodite
Unknown Artist
Greek, 200 –150 B.C.
Bronze
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
29
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
30
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Water Jar with an Owl: Shoulder
Attributed to the Group of the Floral Nolans
Greek, Athens, about 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta
31
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 Youth
Unknown artist
Greek, 300–100 B.C.
Bronze
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
32
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
33
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Cup with Grapevine Reliefs
Unknown artist
Roman, Smyrna, 50–1 B.C.
Lead-glazed terracotta
34
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
35
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Head of the Young Bacchus
Unknown artist
Roman, A.D. 1–50
Bronze and silver
36
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
37
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Handle in the Shape of a Triton
Unknown artist
Greek, Macedonia or Illyria, 100–50 B.C.
Silver and gold
38
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
39
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
41
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?
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
41
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Pitcher with Lions and Panthers
Attributed to the Painter of Vatican 73
Greek, Corinth, 650–625 B.C.
Terracotta
42
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
43
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Mixing Vessel with Triptolemos
Attributed to the Syleus Painter
Greek, Athens, about 470 B.C.
Terracotta
45
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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
45
Herbs in the Getty Villa’s Herb Garden
Spearmint
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Lemon-scented thyme
46
Herbs in the Getty Villa’s Herb Garden
Lovage
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Basil
47
Sculpture in the Getty Villa’s Gardens
• 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.
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
Replica of a Bust
Getty Villa, Inner Peristyle Garden
Replica of a Bronze Statue
Getty Villa, Inner Peristyle Garden
48
Now that you’ve seen them in the art... see them alive in the gardens!
Rose
Pomegranate
Olive
Ivy
Grape
Date palm
Apple
Acanthus
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
49
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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 Goddesses
gallery—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 Marble
Vessels 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 Sculpture
gallery—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 in
Antiquity 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
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
50
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
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Image Credits, continued
Slide 31: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum
Slide 32: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
Slide 33: Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum
Slide 34: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
Slide 34: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum
Slide 36: left, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
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
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
Slide 42: right, Kristen Kido, J. Paul Getty Museum
Slide 44: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
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
© 2009 J. Paul Getty Trust
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=8912
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35627
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=35429
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=9726
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12923
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=15110