On TheOry anD PracTice

Abstract

Vitruvius begins his grand thesis, the Ten Books on Architecture,
with stating the importance of knowledge in theory and practice
in architecture and art, and he explains why. When theory and
practice are combined they form a general education which provides
a person with a judgement structure. Practical competence is required
in art and craft just as theoretic knowledge is necessary in
sciences, and the combination makes possible an all-inclusive approach
to specific questions. I would add that it also means questioning
established truths, or to search for new solutions to specific
problems. It also means accepting the impossibility of knowing everything,
since there are always room for other explanations. Focus
in the present paper is set on theory and practice in relation to material
and technical aspects of Roman wall painting.