Fredrick Law Olmsted

Fredrick Law Olmsted greatly enhanced and created the American landscape architecture. Olmsted was well known for his designs in urban parks with his senior partner. His designs and parks are so magnificent and grand that he is known by many sources as the “Father of Landscape Design. “ When a person makes such a name for himself, it is important to look at two major influences. What led to him becoming a landscape architect and what was his philosophy in designing the creations. Once someone gets to this magnificent point however there needs to be recognition of his vast majority of works. Fredrick Law Olmsted was not a artist that seemed to create the same thing numerous times, he was a man that had a different vision for each canvas he worked on.

Fredrick Law Olmsted was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on April 26, 1882. His Father was John Olmstead and his mother was Charlotte Law Olmsted. Even though his mother died when he was four, his dad made great effect on him. John Olmsted was a merchant with a great passion for nature. When Fredrick was about to enter Yale College, he got sumac poisoning which weakened his eye sight; after this he did not attend college. The young man then worked as a seamen, merchant, journalist, and then on a family farm. On June 13, 1859, Fredrick married his brother’s widow. Her name was Mary Cleveland Perkins and when her husband John Hull died in 1857 she had three children. Fredrick then adopted his nephews and had two other surviving children with Mary. His career as a journalist was successful he published multiple works while working for the New York Times. (source)

The New York central park was his first piece of work in collaboration with a mutual friend Calvert Vaux. What happened was Andrew Jackson Downing, a friend and mentor of Olmsted introduced the two men. After dying in a tragic accident aboard a steamboat explosion in the Hudson River the two mutual friends took up the composition together. This was the first design or execution of landscape Olmsted had ever completed. Suffice it to say, the duo was pronounced the winners in 1858 and immediately began work. In the partnership, what Olmsted lacked in experience and knowledge he made up for in his social experience. Their idea of a public park was not average, but eventually succeeded. (source)

From his first involvement in designing and executing the Central Park in New York City, Olmsted furthered his landscape architecture career. When continuing his ideas, his philosophy was to improve American life and provide a place of harmony. This effort was made in a time where immigration was numerous and the cities had multiple cultures not always in agreement. The parks and areas that Olmsted created were in an effort to break down those walls, these were places where any person could walk into and enjoy no matter what the life. With also being the “Father of American Landscape Architecture” he created a style that did not have limitations of race. It was a style that was not favored by certain people. This concept gave a feeling of community. Olmsted thought that his vision was the best way to escape from the urban life. The biggest influence on his work was the natural scenery of America and the system of his native region. As a result of his vision, people are still enjoying his healthy, ”pleasure grounds” (as he would call them). (source) (source)

Fredrick Law Olmsted created major works such as the former U.S. Capitol grounds, the Biltmore Estate grounds, the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair in 1893, as well as Central Park and the Niagara Falls grounds. His works did not single out a specific style; on the Biltmore he enhanced the French physique. However, when designing the Capitol grounds, he used ideas for the ancient times and for Niagara Falls Park nature was the true beauty. Olmstead’s influences vary and are many. (source) (source) (source)

Fredrick Law Olmsted led an interesting life and quite stumbled into his career of being a landscape architect. But I think that he followed the verse Luke 12:48 with his hard work and numerous achievements. Instead of just returning to journalism after central park was created, he continued in something that he found a passion for. As a result of this he changed history through the philosophy and manner in which he painted his canvases.

picture: <http://nicksherman.com/design/olmsted/Olmsted-portrait.jpg>

College

Just imagine for me, it is senior year and you are stressed about how you will pay for everything; college is the next step away and in between you have senior pictures, Europe, and more. Well let me ease your mind; college prices, even though high right now, can be decreased substantially through many ways. Your search for scholarships is even greater if you know specifics such as what you want to do or where you want to go because schools have individual scholarships. You also have options of government money. (The information I will give really only pertains to me) As well as the fact that you can attend college concurrently and attain an A.S. or A.A. degree, allowing a student to go into a four year university as a junior.

Many people do not know this, but if you attend college concurrently everything but books is free! If you succeed and stay motivated in your efforts at a community college, this can save lots of money. I specifically would like to go to Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and attend their college of Architecture and Environmental Design. The yearly cost at Cal Poly is a total of $21,864. If you multiply that by two, going to college during high school can save you $43,728. However if I went to another university, I could save at least $50,000. (Source)

Another positive about attending a community college concurrently and transferring into a four year university is that the scholarships specifically for the upper-classmen of a degree are available for you almost immediately. There are 34 scholarships available for upper-classmen architecture students, each are looking for a different type of student and you never know that student could be you; nothing hurts. Another type of scholarship that most people do not know about is the life-stream scholarship. They give 28 scholarships out and sometimes only receive 32 applications. This scholarship is for $3,000. Just remember that every little bit helps even if it seems to be only pennies to you. (source) (source) (source) (source) (source)

Lastly, the most commonly looked at aid is Financial Aid. This process has three types of financial aid; grants, loans, and work-study. Grants do not have to be repaid. Such grants are the Federal Bell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. The grant’s amount is based on the student’s need reported by the information based on the FAFSA figures. Loans are borrowed money that must be paid back, with interest. The loan amounts rely on the student's year in school, cost of attendance, and the amount of other aid received. There are five different federal loans available to students. The work-study part of the FAFSA program provides students to earn money while enrolled to help pay for expenses. Another financial aid opportunity is the Cal Grant system, it can provide up to $10,302 for the Cal Grant A, 1,551 for the Cal Grant B, and there are other opportunities with in the Competitive Awards of the Cal Grant system. (source) (source)

Attaining a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university has just been made possible with a little research. When dealing with college, this is something that will affect you forever and you should not choose the cheap route. Through looking at different opportunities you can attend almost any college, do not make money an issue. You can work hard earlier, look at specific school scholarships that may payoff in the future, and apply for financial aid that allows money for your education.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica has been the main church of Christendom and Catholicism for centuries. The Church what first introduced by Constantine, the first Christian emperor. This was in the year 326 however, the original church fell and in 16th century. The church was then demolished and completely re-built during the reign of pope Jullius II. The second time around, the building of the church took quite a bit longer but it was well worth the wait; it came out stunning. All of those that were involved in the building of the church were incredibly intelligent and talented, which showed in their work. Not only is St. Peter’s Basilica a stunning work of art, it provides a significance for Christendom. (source)

The first St. Peter’s Basilica was built between the years of 326 and 333 from the orders of the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine. This church was built in a 30 year time period. “The building consisted of five aisles, a wide central nave and two smaller aisles to each side, which were divided by 21 marble columns, which were all spoils from earlier pagan buildings. It was over 350 feet long, built in the shape of a Latin cross, and had a gable roof which was timbered on the interior and which stood over 100 feet at the center.” (source) Apart of the old church was a great mosaic, signifying the time period it was built in. There was a great ledged that Constantine took the pillars from the temple of Solomon to build the main alter in the new church; however this story was less that true. (source, source)

Despite the fact that this church was built in stunning fashion also, it did not last and in the 15th century the structure started falling apart. By the 16th century pope Jullius II decided to demolish and re-build the church altogether. People were at first surprised but soon adjusted and liked this idea even better. The significance of this St. Peter’s is just as important as thee current one that stands today. An example of this it the fact that Charlemagne was crowned here in 800 A.D. (source)

The building of the new St. Peter’s Basilica took great amounts of time, accompanied by great amounts of help and architects. The project was started by the pope Jullius II and his chosen architect, Donato Bramente. Donato was the chosen design out of a number of incredible entrees. To be picked was a great affirmation because Jullius II was determined to create the greatest church in Christendom. Donato’s plan was as such, “this plan was in the form of an enormous Greek Cross with a dome inspired by that of the huge circular Roman temple, the pantheon.” (source) This quote further explains the intentions of the original design, "Bramente molded the exterior of the Basilica almost as though it were a sculpture with its three arms, made dynamic by the twin Corinthian pillars, between which elegant cups, niches and windows open. The construction thus appears extremely vibrant but joined by the protruding cornice running all around it and on which rests an attic upon which the pilaster strips are alternated by windows already in Baroque style." (source)

However, not far into the building Donato died. After this occurred, Raffaelo Sanzio and Giuliano da Sangallo were nominated to take over the building. When this happened, they strayed away from the original design. They also found that the plan of suspending the dome by the four pillars was unsustainable. During this time, plans for the church did not go far, they went from classical Roman, to Gothic, and back again when Michelangelo became the head designer. (source, source, source)

Michelangelo in the year 1546 took over as head architect in the building of the basilica; by this time he was 72 years of age. He brought the original plans back into shape and back on track. "Michelangelo, who served as main architect for a while, designed the dome, and Bernini designed the great St. Peter's Square." (source) All of this shows the massive amounts of work that Michelangelo did on St. Peter’s Basilica. However, in some accounts of history many of the popes found it incredibly difficult to work with him because his work ethic. In my opinion, this is incredibly outrageous to point out a flaw in his slowness to complete a task. Those architect before him were equally, if not more of a task failure. This man however, at 72+ years of age created an unbelievable dome and a building coherent to the original plans. Through all this he still was never able to see the completion of his work and died before the dome was put in. The rest of the work was left up to Giacomo della Porta. (source)

Two beautiful aspects of St. Peter’s Basilica that deserve to be looked at all by themselves is the Dome and the Façade. The dome was designed by Michelangelo, when he became head architect in the building. In his time, he accomplished work, only to the drum of the dome. Which alternates highly prominent double columns with gabled windows. Then Giacomo della Porta, Michelangelo’s pupil took over, raising the dome 7 meters from its original design and completing it in 1590, making the work time only 22 months. This dome was then later used as an icon to build other domes. Such as, St. Paul’s Basilica in London and our very own capital building in Washington D.C. (source, source)

The façade, another amazing piece of the grand exterior of St. Peter’s basilica was designed by the architect Carlo Manderno. He then also completed it in 1614. In total the façade was 114.69 meters wide and 48 meters in height. The style alternates in Corinthian columns with pilasters. That at the top is crowned with 13 statues, each over 6 meters high. It is noted that the façade was built during the service of Pope Paul V Borghese. There are five entrances to the atrium and over them stand nine windows, three have balconies. The central window/balcony is called the “Benediction Loggia”. This is at the point where the pope gives his first blessings, “urbi et orbia”, to the city and the state. This worldly know façade was restored and completed in 1999, to show the whitewashes that were originally in the design, but covered by the aging over time. (source)

The straight facts of this building are also great things to know. The total cost of this church was 46,800,052 ducats and holds 60,000+ people. In total the area is 227,070 square feet, which is more that 5 acres. The total length is 730 feet and a total width of 500 feet. The drum of the dome is 630 feet in circumference and 65,6 feet in height rising 240 feet from the ground. Just these numbers alone make this building sound taunting and magnificent. (source)

This building is often described as the greatest architectural building of its age and it definitely lives up to these assumptions. It was built with many of the most incredible artists and architects of the time and is greatly influenced by these people that all took part in it.

Renaissance Architecture

The Renaissance was a term originally from a French word that means “rebirth”. This rebirth occurred mostly in the art of the time. “About 1450, European scholars became more interested in studying the world around them. Their art became more true to life”(Source) This change was in their paintings and architecture. The artists were very important to this change and improvement of the art. The Renaissance is a time period between the 12^th and 17^th centuries; it had no clear cut beginning our ending. Specifically, the Renaissance Architecture period is a very important transitional time period between two great styles. (Source) (Source)

The renaissance period is greatly based on the influence of the Roman and Greek emphasis. Just before this transition, the style that was the dominate, was the Gothic style. It transitioned the architects of the time from the medieval time to the Renaissance. This brought back the Romanesque style to buildings. (Source)

The greatest and most recognizable characteristic of Gothic architecture is the magnificent pointed arch, which is also more formally called, ogival arch. This arch is not only appealing to the eye but also structurally sound. It allows the weight to be dispersed to the columns reaching toward the ground, allowing architects to further the height of the structure. The pointed arch also gave architects a greater flexibility in creating shapes. This arch really started the new revelation to bring back the Roman emphasis more so. This caused the Renaissance style to really come alive. (Source)

The Renaissance style focused on symmetry, proportion, geometry, and the classical aspects of ancient Roman architecture. The use of pillars and domes, in many different styles returned during this time; instead of the complex and asymmetrical figures of the Gothic style. The man who first brought back the original style of the Romans and Greeks is Filippo Brunelleschi. From his inspiration in northern Italy the Renaissance style spread to France, Germany, England, and Russia. (Source) (Source)

Filippo lived from the year 1377-1446. He was first trained as a goldsmith and later became a builder. When becoming an architect, Brunelleschi studied much of the Gothic style, but was more interested in the style of the Roman ruins. He first created the Ospedale degli Innocenti it was the first building in Florence to make a clear reference to the classical style of the Romans. His work only became greater from there including, the Cathedral of Florence, the Sarestia Vecchia, and the Santa Maria del Fiore. (Source) (source)

Brunelleschi was just the start of the Renaissance beauty. Artists such as Giacomo da Vignola, Andrea Palladio, and Michelangelo Buonarroti took the fundamentals to a whole new level. Alberti demonstrated the first work to include the idea of Façades in the St. Andrea. Although Brunelleschi tried to include this detail into his work, the outcome did not show it. A Façade is symmetrical around the vertical axis. “Church façades are generally surmounted by a pediment and organized by a system of pilasters, arches and entablatures. The columns and windows show a progression towards the center.” (source) The Façades greatly expressed a part of the Renaissance architecture style. (Source)

Another aspect of the architecture utilized during this time, are the columns, entablatures, and pilasters. This fundamental feature of Renaissance architecture can be used as five different looks, such as the: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite. Certain styles of these columns are used for support and others are purely decorative. Tuscan is relatively the most simple, it is very plain with a plain shaft, a capital base, and a plain frieze. The Doric order is the next simplest with some patterns along the frieze, a 20 side shaft, no base, and a square capital. The ionic pillars were taller and more extravagant, they consisted of flutes at both the top and bottom, the frieze was plain, and entasis was along the shaft, to make it look like the column was straight. In the middle between the Corinthian style and the Doric order is the Composite order; it is one of the more decorative. The Corinthian order however, is the most decorative, it has flowers and/or leaves along the capital, the shaft has flutes and also uses the entasis to make it appear straight, and the roofs however are the only flat roofs, out of all the others. Each of these pillars are used in specific areas to highlight the building. These were first brought back by Brunelleschi and used in the Renaissance era. (Source) (Source)

In addition to these characteristics of Renaissance architecture the ancient Romans also introduced the arches and vaults. These are semi-circular sections of the building that are not only decorative, but also to structurally support the building. Often times there would be pillars supporting and leading to the arch itself. The vault is just the same as a arch, but instead of being rather rectangular in the Gothic style, the vaulted ceilings were square-shaped. These vaults can extend so far in length, they become what they call a barrel vault. An example of this is the St. Andrea. (Source)

When viewing buildings externally built in the Renaissance period a greatly noticeable detail is the dome. It can be both a large and small feature on a building. Originally in this period domes were rarely used, but when Bruneslleschi successfully used the dome in Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and Bramante created St. Peter’s Basilica with a dome, it became a crucial element in Renaissance architecture. (Source)

Even the details of buildings are greatly influenced. Moldings and courses were carved with great experience to add amazing details. Also artist added to the great architecture by painting on the walls and ceilings. The Sistine Chapel is a great example of this. The roofs were decorated and often times painted to accentuate the beauty. The doors and windows were set in and elaborated the arches. Every detail of the whole building was planned out and even though it was hard extremely hard to create these details. To me, when I look a Renaissance building, the details are more extravagant than anything anyone creates today. The time and passion the artists and architects put into their work is measurably seen in the outcome of the building. However, these details did not appear overnight, it took 500 years to fully cover this period and that does not include the influences it left. (Source) (Source)

Renaissance Art

The Renaissance was a term originally from a French word that means “rebirth”. This rebirth occurred mostly in the art of the time. “About 1450, European scholars became more interested in studying the world around them. Their art became more true to life” (Source) This change was in their paintings and architecture. The artists were very important to this change and improvement of the art, many of them are still very well known today as in: Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Masaccio, and Brunelleschi. (Source) (Source)(Source, Google Books)

This new movement started in northern Italy and spread quickly through Europe. “The Renaissance patrons wanted art that showed joy in human beauty and life’s pleasures. Renaissance art is more lifelike than in the art of the Middle Ages. Renaissance artists studied perspective, or the differences in the way things look when they are close to something or far away. The artists painted in a way that showed these differences. As a result, their paintings seem to have depth.” (source) Giotto was the first to start this phase of art; he put real emotion into his paintings. This period of the Renaissance was where the impressionism and realism really prevailed into art. Examples of the paintings of this time are the, Mona Lisa, the Last Super, the Birth of Venus, the Marriage at Canon and many others. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The architecture of the Renaissance of also flourished. Churches were a major focus for the architects of the time the created what was called the gothic style. The most common feature of the era was the dome. Cathedrals would also have many different colors and often times the magnificent buildings would be accompanied by great paintings on the dome (the ceiling), the walls, just as the Sistine Chapel. It is also present in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Duomo of Florence. This style originated from the Greeks and Romans, but was further enhanced and started in Florence, Italy. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)


The artist and architects were not just good at what they did; they did it with passion and poise. The phrase, the Sistine Chapel wasn’t built in a day, is very true because these artists put long hours into their work and it took multiple days and months. These artists did not just make art; they were shapers of their time and History. Various artists were Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Botticelli, Giotto, Donatello, Tintoretto, Veronese, Raphael, and many others. These people did not only make art they created something much more, they created timeless and priceless pieces of treasure with great meaning. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The Renaissance Art and Architecture started a new progression of History, it started impressionism, realism, Gothic architecture, and much more. “It influenced painting, sculpture, and architecture. Paintings became more realistic and focused less often on religious topics. Rich families became patrons and commissioned great art. Artists advanced the Renaissance style of showing nature and depicting the feelings of people. ” (source) The passion and dedication of the artists’ work is clearly seen through everything they did. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The most successful crusades were the first four, however there were numerous crusades following the first four. In fact, the Crusades went on until approximately 1300. The later crusades were not at all successful. The decline of the papacy also brought the decline of the European unity and power. This separation of the European powers was a great reason why the later crusades were unsuccessful. (source) (source)

To start, the Children’s Crusade was a complete failure. Despite the name there were not many children going on this crusade, in fact they used this name to refer to adults that had not yet grown up. However, to this day the legend is that thousands of young children under the age of 12 went on a crusade to try and recover the Holy Land. These adults did not at all succeed in completing their mission. On there was to the Holy Land they dropped off like flies. Many of those that traveled by boat were shipwrecked and died, the other crusaders that traveled by boat were taken to North Africa, were they were sold into slavery. Those on foot, settled on their way to the Holy Land. (source) (source)

The fifth and six crusades cam after this, but were no more helpful in taking back Jerusalem. The fifth crusade took 10 years to complete and still they did not have any different result in their efforts. At the start the main expeditions were to Egypt. Frederick II then made efforts to the Holy Land and succeeded in a treaty; however after being excommunicated he lost Jerusalem again, in 1244. The sixth crusade did not turnout much better; Frederick made very good efforts that led no where. By this time, the decline of the papacy’s power was evident. Part of the reason why the crusades kept becoming less successful was because only one power would go and fight, Europe was no longer united under the crusades. (source) (source) (source) (source, Google Books)

The seventh crusade was called the shepherd’s crusade and was an effort by Louis IX of France. This failed when he was captured in Egypt, after problems were caused by the Knights Templar. However the peasant movement still went on after their leader was captured. After causing many troubles however, the crusaders were excommunicated. The 8th crusade was again led by Louis IX of France, however this effort was much better organized than the last. Despite their better efforts, there were again defeated in Mansura, right were the crusaders had been defeated in the fifth crusade. The ninth crusade which ended all the others was deemed a complete failure on the efforts against the Baibars. (source) (source) (source, Google Books) (source, Google Books)

After this, the Crusaders and Europeans were attacked ruthlessly. The Middle Eastern people massacred many of their big cities killing all those that could not leave in time. The Crusaders were unable to fight back. The Crusades, if anything only slightly delayed the efforts of the Muslims. Of the numerous efforts by the crusaders, only one or two were “successful” and you can see through the numerous failures that the last crusades were not deemed “successful”. (source) (source)

4th Crusade

After the third crusade they had diverted from the Holy Land and had other plans. This specific crusade was encouraged by Pope Innocent III. The forth crusade was and effort to attack Egypt, the center of the Muslim world at the time. However the biggest effect this crusade had was on the city of Constantinople. However their efforts were not strong enough and did not bring much difference in the long run. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The fourth crusade is a great piece of interest to many historians and scholars. The crusaders’ first mission was to go into Egypt and essentially take out the source. The Christians while preparing for this attack went to the Venetians for assistance in transportation and supplies. The Venetians had agreed under the condition that they would first capture Zara, so they did and then were planning to go to Egypt after completing the Venetians task. However their plans changed when Alexius, son of Isaac Angelus called on the crusaders for help to recover Constantinople. Agreeing to this the crusaders prepared to then take back the center of the Byzantine Empire. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The Venetians agreed also to help them with this also. In fact they liked this idea a lot more because the Venetians were business men and having possession of Constantinople would increase trade throughout the Mediterranean. The Crusaders with the Venetians had cover the Naval aspect of the capturing the city and on land was Alexius and his men along with some French knights. Despite the pope’s thought on the subject the Crusaders ransacked the city of Constantinople in 1204. The manner of attack was not the shining moment of the Crusades for Christians. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

There was not a very exact account of what exactly happened when the crusaders sacked Constantinople, which makes historians and scholars interested in the event. One story is as this account says for example, “They burned down a great part of it; they slaughtered the inhabitants; they wantonly destroyed monuments, statues, paintings, and manuscripts - the accumulation of a thousand years. Much of the movable wealth they carried away. Never, declared an eye-witness of the scene, had there been such plunder since the world began.” (Source) However another account is this: “Meantime, Alexius had a assembled a large army for a counter-attack against the Franks. For some reason, however, his nerve failed him and he never made the attack. The Venetians in the meantime withdrew from the section of wall they had held, for they could not keep it without a victory on the Frankish side as well. Despite the fact that the Crusader assault had only partially succeeded, that night Alexius grabbed what wealth he could and fled the city with his daughter.” (Source) Each view of the battle can be different but yet the same dependent on the view. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The ending effect was not great, years later the city was still captured. It had declined in faith from numerous barbarians picking away at it. Even when it did finally fall to the Turks, the down fall was blamed on the Venetians and the French for they only wanted the economic value of the city and did not look at its politics and military for the future. While although most of the crusades are not seen as a win per say they had a lasting and important effect on our history. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)