Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/346

330 330 ITALIAN ARCHITECTURE. Pabt II. The carved architectural ornaments of the facade are rich and elaborate in the extreme, though figured sculpture is used to a much less extent than in Northern portals of the same age. lit is also observable that the strong horizontal lines do not harmonize with the aspiring character of pointed architectui-e. The cathedral of Orvieto is smaller and simpler, and less rich in its decorations, than that at Siena, with the exception of its fa9ade, which is adorned with sculpture and painting. Indeed the three-gabled front may be con- sidered the typical one for churches of this class. The fa9ades intended to have been applied to the churches at Flo- rence, Bologna, Milan, and else- where, Avere no doubt very simi- lar to that repre- sented in Wood- cut No. 761. As a frontispiece, if elaborately sculp- tured and painted, it is not without considerable ajj- propriateness and even beauty ; but, as an architec- tural object, it is infinitely inferior to the double- towered facades of the Northern cathedrals, or even to those with only one great tower in the centre. It has besides the defect of not expressing what is behind it; the central gable being always higher than the roof, and the two others merely ornamental appendages. Indeed, like the 762. Plan of Cathedral at Florence. (Prom Isabelle Circulaires.") Scale 100 ft. to 1 in. ' Ediflce8