Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/320

304 304 ITALIAN ARCHITECTURE. Part II. characteristics of a perfect round-arched Gothic church. Indeed, there is hardly any feature worth mentioning which was invented after this date except the pointed arch — a very doubtful improvement — and window tracery, which the Italians never cordially adopted or under- stood. The section (Woodcut No. 741) shows the general arrangement of San Michele, from which it will be seen that well-marked vaultino-- shafts spring from floor to roof, that the pier-arches in the wall are perfectly distinct and well understood, and that the angles of the piers are softened and ornamented by shafts and other subordinate mem- bers. Altogether, it is evident that that subdivision of lal)or (if the expression may be used) which was so characteristic of the true Gothic style had here been perfectly understood, every part having its own function and telling its own story. To complete ihe style only required a little experience to decide on the best and most agreeable 741. Section of San Micliele, Pavia. (From Agincourt.) No scale. proportions in size and solidity. In a century from the date of this chuicli the required progi-ess had been made ; a century later it had been carried too far, and the artistic value of the style was lost in mere masonic excellence. San Michele and the other churches of its age fail principally from over-heaviness of parts and a certain clumsiness of construction, which, though not without its value as an expression of power, Avants the refinement necessary for a true work of art. Externally, one of the most ])leasing features of tliis church is the apse with its circular gallery. In Italian churches the gallery is usually a simple range of similar arcades ; here, however, it is broken into three great divisions by coupled shafts s])ringing from the ground, and these again subdivided by single shafts running in like manner through the whole height of the apse. The gallery thus not only becomes a part of the whole design, instead of looking like a possible afterthought, but an agreeable variety