atlant, atlantid, or atlas
- atlant, atlantid, or atlas
A muscular male nude, either carved or painted, acting as a column or pillar, carrying an architrave or other architectural element. This is the male counterpart of a caryatid. Named after Atlas, the Titan (giant) who in Greek mythology was condemned to carry the earth and the heavens on his shoulders. The atlant, employed in both Roman and Greek architecture, was revived in Baroque architecture and painting. The Romans called such figures telamones. The plural form of atlant is atlantes.
Glossary of Art Terms.
2014.
Look at other dictionaries:
Atlas (architecture) — In the European architectural tradition an atlas (also known as a atlant, or atlantid; plural atlantes) [http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/Aru.html Aru Az] , Michael Delahunt, [http://www.artlex.com/ ArtLex Art Dictionary] , 1996 2008.] is a support… … Wikipedia
caryatid — A carved female figure used as a column. Dressed in long robes, she supports an architectural element on her head. Her male counterpart is an atlant, atlantid, or atlas. The word caryatid is Greek, and originally referred to maidens of Caryae… … Glossary of Art Terms