Classical Influences in Thomas Jefferson's Architecture

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Thomas Jefferson was the architect for his house, and his fascination with classical architecture (which developed from both personal study and the time he spent in France as an ambassador for the budding United States of America) is blatantly obvious to even the unpracticed or inexperienced eye. First and foremost are the columns supporting a Greek-style pediment at the front of the house. These doric columns also illustrate the rule of the golden mean (columns to pediment, and columns plus pediment to the building's height as a whole). The next obvious classical element of the building is the large, cylindrical dome in the center of the building, which was most likely inspired by the Pantheon, the famous, domed building in Rome, Italy. Another

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