Sunday 6 May 2012

Spitting the spandrel

The spandrels in the middle arch were splendid!

A spandrel, in architecture,is the space between two arches or between an arch and a rectangular enclosure.

On the Pitt Street facade of the GPO in Martin Place, the architect, James Barnet, commissioned the Italian sculptor, Tomaso Sani, to create a series of basso-relievo in the spandrels of the arches of the ground floor arcade. Barnet wanted the carvings to show the practical side of the operation of a Post Office.

The carvings represented: Telegraph, Literature, the Press, Professions, Commerce, and Mining.

Even before they were finished, the carvings came under attack and Barnet was accused of a lack of aesthetic taste and professional judgement. A bitter debate ensued for more than seven years. The affair was an example of the type of cultural cringe that existed in colonial society in the nineteenth century.

The spandrels also represented Agriculture, Pastoral, Science, Art, Banking, and the Post Office.

It reflected the division between the elitists in all things English and the supporters of an emerging Australian culture building its own traditions. The idea that a great public building might not follow slavishly in the Classical tradition was abhorrent to some self-appointed arbiters of taste. Barnet and Sani were attacked in the press, and in the parliament. The criticism was seldom objective and often abusive. The entire kerfuffle was finally put to bed by Henry Parkes who gave the self-appointed arbiters of taste a right 'serve' in the parliament.

Today, most passersby do not even notice the carvings and would find them innocuous if they bothered to look up.

14 comments:

Kate said...

Aha! I learned a new word today...spandrel. Also learned that many arch bridges use the architectual technique of a spandrel, altho those that I recall seeing have no decorative carving...some with graffiti, if one can call that decorative. I maxed your photos and saw one in particular that I could relate to post office activity.

Kay L. Davies said...

I appreciate the reference to the press.
Spandrel is a new name to me, too. But I love "cultural cringe" — Julie, you really know how to turn a phrase. Your writing is a joy to read, even when you are quoting or pontificating.
Luv, K

Gunn said...

Beautiful details. Love it!

Peter said...

Love Barnet's work, but I must admit I generally walk by without a glance.

Thérèse said...

I had to go and check the name for "sprandrel" in French to understand what it meant but your pictures describe the word perfectly.
There is so much to discover when we look up.

raf said...

Your attention to detail in every aspect of city life, especially in Sydney, never ceases to amaze, Julie. Thanks for the enlightenment!

hamilton said...

I must admit, I can find nothing objectionable to these carvings and they are stunning in their detail!

Ann said...

Spandrel, new word for me as well. I like those sculptures though have never noticed them. Really must take a close look at that building. Instructions for getting to Shelly Beach are on today's post.

Ann said...

In the comments.

Jim said...

Great detail shots. Have taken a few of these but the light wasn't as good as on your visit.

Gemma Wiseman said...

So many times I walked through Martin Place and I am sure I did not look up! Too busy getting to Uni or work! Enjoyed this memory journey giving some life to dormant ideas! Informative, interesting post!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

You are right Julie, there are always some who make a big hue and cry about things it dies down and many, many years later nobody notices what it was all about anyway. We are definitely a bizarre species!!
btw I was so lucky to get any shots at all of the moon last night, it cleared for roughly five minutes and just as quickly it disappeared behind a bank of clouds, I was just there in the right moment, even though as I said, it was a pretty rubbish shot.

Joan Elizabeth said...

It is so easy to miss these details .. I have until now. Thank you Sydney Eye for seeing the city for me.

Rae Walter said...

Wonderful captures Julie of this magnificent building. Thank you also for the information about the building's history.