Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/419

Rh r.K. VIII. ch. VIII. CATHEDKAL OF PALERMO 403 Externally the Gothic architects had immensely the advantage. They never allowed their colored decorations to interfere with their architectural effects. On the contrary, they so used them as to make the windows externally as well as internally their most beautiful and attractive features. The cathedral of Palermo, the principal entrance of which is shown in Woodcut No. 833, is a building of much later date, that which we now see being principally of the 14th century. Although possessing no dignity of outline or grace of form, it is more richly ornamented Lf!ufiiMljMtflA#yf!yf^^ ^ ' — ^ ' ' ^ ^ -if-j^ — ^ — "" 833. Lateral Entrance to Cathedral at Palermo. (From Hittortf and Zannth.) externally with intersecting arches and mosaic decoi-ations than almost any other church of its class. It is richer, perhaps, and better than the cathedral of Florence, inasmuch as the decorations follow the construction, and are not — as there — a mere unmeaning panelling that might be applied anywhere. All this is more apparent in the apse (Woodcut No. 834) than on the lateral elevation. It converts what would be only a very plain exterior into a very rich and orna- mental composition ; not quite suited to Northern taste, but very effective in the sunny South. Still the effect of the whole is rather