Question

For his home state of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson designed the capital building inspired by excellent Greek and Roman temples. The building's classico clarity and symmetry contribute to a sense of ________, while its location at the top of a hill overlooking Richmond imbues the building with ________.

1) elegance, grandeur
2) simplicity, modesty
3) chaos, disorder
4) dullness, monotony

Answer 1

Option (1), Thomas Jefferson's design for the Virginia Capitol building was inspired by classical Greek and Roman architecture, contributing to a sense of elegance and grandeur.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thomas Jefferson designed the Virginia Capitol building to embody the classical Greek and Roman architectural styles, which were symbolic of democratic ideals and civil authority. Such buildings often featured elements of symmetry and proportionality influenced by the Classical Revival style and were characterized by classico clarity and balance. The building's notable placement on a hill, overlooking the city of Richmond, Virginia, was purposeful in creating an impression of significance and command.

Therefore, the capital building's classico clarity and symmetry contribute to a sense of elegance, while its prominent location imbues the building with a sense of grandeur. This aligns with the Greco-Roman architectural principle of using the natural geography to enhance the stature and prestige of a structure, as was done with the temples on the Acropolis, providing both a strategic view and an imposing presence.