In Baroque interiors, which element is a shallow ornamental column attached to a wall?

In Baroque interiors, which element is a shallow ornamental column attached to a wall?

• A. Pilaster
• B. Column
• C. Capital
• D. Baseboard

Answer: (A)

In Baroque interiors, a shallow ornamental column attached to a wall is a pilaster. Pilasters are flattened, wall-attached versions of columns that mimic the look of a column—complete with a base, shaft, and capital—while staying flush with the wall. They’re used to articulate and ornament the surface of a wall, create vertical rhythm, and sometimes imply support for an entablature, without being freestanding. This differs from a true column, which is a free-standing vertical structural element. The capital sits at the top of a column, not as a wall-attached feature. A baseboard runs along the bottom of the wall, not vertically projecting from it.

In Baroque interiors, a shallow ornamental column attached to a wall is a pilaster. Pilasters are flattened, wall-attached versions of columns that mimic the look of a column—complete with a base, shaft, and capital—while staying flush with the wall. They’re used to articulate and ornament the surface of a wall, create vertical rhythm, and sometimes imply support for an entablature, without being freestanding.

This differs from a true column, which is a free-standing vertical structural element. The capital sits at the top of a column, not as a wall-attached feature. A baseboard runs along the bottom of the wall, not vertically projecting from it.