The representation of the art of building through history

Abstract

Images are an excellent way to learn more about history. Just like writing, they make it possible to collect information and describe the reality of different periods of history. Although images representing construction work are not as numerous as those representing other subjects, such as architecture and its styles, it is possible to find interesting and quite didactic examples. These images, found in different supports, such as drawings, frescoes, paintings, sculptures, mosaics, engravings, and photographs, represent the workers, the techniques, the instruments, and the materials used, showing the context of the time portrayed. This work presents and analyses images that represent constructions in different periods of history, such as Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and nowadays. We tried to be as broad as possible, expanding the analysis beyond Western and European art, seeking images that present constructions in various regions and cultures. Aiming to show how images are a valuable source of information and how the analysis of these enables knowledge, contextualization and understanding of the evolution of construction, images that represent construction works, either as the main theme of the work or as details, were collected. The search for works in different artistic media, such as paintings, frescoes, illuminations, mosaics, sculptures, engravings, drawings, and photographs and different contexts, such as the construction of churches, temples, houses, skyscrapers, among others, was undertaken. With this work, we conclude that a great evolution happened in some aspects of construction, but these changes were only expressive after the industrialization of the 18th century, which brought the use of new materials, such as iron and cement. But despite all the evolution of the last centuries, some techniques and instruments are still similar to those used for many millennia, such as the trowel and the plumb bob.