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Glite Dictionary
spandrel

spandrel

1 9.9
The triangular space between two arches and the wall above them
  • noun
  • /ˈspændrəl/
  • Specialized
: esquina
  • At Gelnhausen, sculpted images of the Last Judgment, from the resurrection of the dead to the torments of Hell, fill the spandrels at each oblique corner, inviting the viewer to move from one side to the other.
  • fill the spandrels

Examples

  • Relief panels containing scenes from the childhood of Christ filled the triangular spandrels between the gables dominating the screen's facade.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The Gallo-Roman Mars and the spandrel statues converge iconographically.

    Academic text (2005)

  • On the rear wall is a kind of private chapel, a wall niche framed by pilasters and faced with spandrels.

    Academic text (2005)

  • In this connection, I offer one final observation concerning the soldiers in the spandrels of Ste-Marie's facade.

    Academic text (2005)

  • And as I've already described, the bases, the spandrels and the freeze all belong to the Constantinian.

  • Below this composition, on the spandrels of the arcade, were two motifs: a curious horned mask to the left and a slender tree to the right.

    Academic text (1991)

  • However, only two other sculptures in the entire portal, a pair of soldiers in the spandrels of the portal's triumphal arch, exhibit any debt to the formal conceptions of the Mars figure.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The images of Mary and the two soldiers in the spandrels of the portal arch are the only works that reflect a strong awareness of the Mars sculpture, yet these sculptures exhibit only selective, calculated appropriations from and responses to the pagan relief.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The beautiful paintings were situated in the triangular spandrel between the two adjoining arches.

  • The architect designed intricate patterns within the spandrels that enhanced the aesthetics of the building.

Synonyms

spandril
vsspandrel
  • UK
9.9

A roughly triangular area between two arches and the wall above them

has identical meaning but is the alternate spelling of this architectural term

Surface Forms

spandrel singular
spandrels plural

Etymology

Spandrel comes from an old Italian word spandere, which means 'to spread' and is like the English word expand. That's a helpful image: a spandrel is the triangular space 'spread' out between two arches and the wall above them.