It would be easy, look in the dictionary of Latin words and get the result: lapido in Russian means "stone".Now, from the noun do epithet.Consequently, "lapidary" simply means "stone"?In some cases, he used this doctrine mot?Can you say: "He sat with lapidary face"?Probably not.Nor is it possible the expression 'lapidary house. "Most often, this epithet use in conjunction with the words "style" or "style."And call someone lapidary way to express praise is his or her oratory skills.Like, "stone" style or the style of the thoughts on paper seems excessively unwieldy.But to fully understand what it means to "lapidary" need to do a little history.
What is written bit ...
In ancient times in Europe, the paper did not know.Plain text written on wax tablets.When it becomes unnecessary, the letters will be erased.Slightly heated wax spatula leveled surface - and again had a clean sheet for writing.But what to do with the texts of national importance, laws, decrees, international agreements?You can certainly use the papyrus.But then the text is not exposed on the main square of the city to get acquainted with them citizens.That's why the decrees, regulations and other documents of state importance is carved in stone.However, since this material - it is difficult for the recording, the idea of the tree is not particularly spread.Antique paperwork was concise, brief, but at the same time tangible and understandable.This syllable then called "lapidary".Meaning of words thus changes slightly.This is not the way to express ponderous and style worthy of being carved in stone.
concise and lapidary
Ancient Rome has left us many stelae and monuments, where the idea has been expressed clearly and concisely, but at the same time beautiful and elegant.Following the politicians who wanted to convey their will to the people, as expressed became recognized speakers.Rhetoric, one of the central sciences in ancient Rome, learn the art of speaking.Listeners had to be carried away and not to tire.He therefore lapidary - a true master of style.After all, it is important not to overdo it.Over brevity could lead to rejection of the majority of the audience.As expressed by the father of rhetoric, Horace, the more you try to be brief, so do more incomprehensible.The oratory was important to find a middle ground: expressive, clear, clearly and concisely express their thoughts, while couching them in a form that would have penetrated into the heart of the listener or reader.
further metamorphosis of the word "lapidary»
This ability to speak beautifully and briefly became almost a virtue in ancient Rome.But with the fall of the great empire of rhetoric has not been lost.Of course, there have been periods in history when she came to the lofty fashion, colorful, verbose and flowery expressions.But this style of great writers ridiculed.For example, Shakespeare, who lived just in such an era, wrote: "The more words - the less weight they have."A great Russian classic Leo Tolstoy said that the brief thoughts are good because they are forced to think of a clever reader.A striking example of the style is lapidary aphorisms.This brief sentences, which clearly expressed deep thought.It's funny, but there are aphorisms about brevity.No wonder Anton Chekhov spoke about it.He owns the phrase that all brilliant - easy and brevity - the sister of talent.
«lapidary": the meaning of modernist art
brevity, clarity, conciseness - these are the qualities that would adopt the art of modernism.In his rebellion against the academic style, it resorts to a simple but powerful strokes, juicy, bright colors without halftones.It aims to show life as it is, without embellishment of the truth.Here's how explained Cubism in 1921, one of his apologists, SK Makovsky "revolutionary painting style lapidary.This new art does not tolerate refined, it jaded this corny. "Those developments affected not only the fine art of the early twentieth century, but also literature.And in our time it has found a use the term "minimalism" - a kind of lapidary in interior design.
Empire
Anyone who saw the houses built in the Empire style, doubt.What can have in common this rich, richly decorated with stone decorations and architectural metal forging whopper with lapidary?Empire - is a modified word "empire".The style became fashionable in the times of Napoleon Bonaparte.Later, he was taken up during the restoration.In the vastness of the Soviet Union is known for its interesting offshoot - Stalin's empire.So, what brings decoration with apples, pears, rolling in abundance, heavy stucco with sickles, hammers and generously, if not - excessively decorated eaves to the style, which is referred to as "lapidary"?This spiritual connection with Ancient Rome.As you remember, we know about the lapidary for a memorial stele with inscriptions.For buildings in the Empire style characteristic of ancient columns, pilasters, the Olympic theme of mythology in the frieze, as well as short lapidary inscriptions, praising the civil and public virtue.
