Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Toltec

(Encyclopedia)Toltec tŏlˈtĕk [key], ancient civilization of Mexico. The name in Nahuatl means “master builders.” The Toltec formed a warrior aristocracy that gained ascendancy in the Valley of Mexico c.a.d. ...

window

(Encyclopedia)window, in architecture, the casement or sash, fitted with glass, which closes an opening in the wall of a structure without excluding light and air. It may have a square, round, or pointed head; may ...

Wren, Sir Christopher

(Encyclopedia)Wren, Sir Christopher, 1632–1723, English architect. A mathematical prodigy, he studied at Oxford. He was professor of astronomy at Gresham College, London, from 1657 to 1661, when he became Savilia...

cathedral

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Floor plan of a cathedral cathedral, church in which a bishop presides. The designation is not dependent on the size or magnificence of a church edifice, but is entirely a matter of its assign...

Italian art

(Encyclopedia)Italian art, works of art produced in the geographic region that now constitutes the nation of Italy. Italian art has engendered great public interest and involvement, resulting in the consistent prod...

Kutaisi

(Encyclopedia)Kutaisi ko͞otəēˈsē [key], city (1989 pop. 234,870), W Georgia, on the Rion River. Georgia's second largest city and the country's former legislative capital (2012–18), it has industries produci...

Lutyens, Sir Edwin Landseer

(Encyclopedia)Lutyens, Sir Edwin Landseer lŭˈchənz, lŭˈtyənz [key], 1869–1944, English architect. He began his career designing small houses in Surrey and later executed a series of large country establishm...

Mazzuchelli, Samuel Charles

(Encyclopedia)Mazzuchelli, Samuel Charles mäˈzho͞okĕlē [key], 1806–64, Italian missionary in America. He was a Dominican. He was ordered (1830) to the island of Mackinac to be the only permanent priest in th...

Mansart, François

(Encyclopedia)Mansart or Mansard, François both: fräNswäˈ mäNsärˈ [key], 1598–1666, French architect. His work is noted as being an outstanding expression of French classical design. In 1635 he was commiss...

Arequipa

(Encyclopedia)Arequipa ärākēˈpä [key], city (2020 pop. 923,000), alt. c.7,550 ft (2,300 m), capital of Arequipa dept., S Peru, on the Chili River. One of Peru's largest cities, it ...