Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/464

448 448 BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE. Part II. on to the larger, and the whole culminates in the great central roof. Nothing, j^robably, so artistic has been done on the same scale before or since. In these arrangements 8ta. Sophia seems to stand alone. If, however, the ^proportions of this church are admirable, the de- tails are equally so. All the jiillars are of porphyry, verd antique, or mai'bles of the most precious kinds. The capitals are among the most admirable specimens of the style. It will be remembered that the governing line of a classical Corinthian chapel is a hollow curve, to which acanthus-leaves or other projecting ornaments were applied. 'W^^S^'S^^yW^^^^^^^^^W^^^^^^^^^r'^^^^^r^^' 891. Lower Order of Sta. Sophia. (From Salzetberg.) When the colunins were close together, and had only a beam to sup- port, this form of capital was sufficient ; but when employed to carry the constructive arches of the fabric its weakness became instantly apparent. Long before Justinian's time, the tendency became apparent to reverse the curve and to incise the ornament. In Sta. Sophia the transition is complete ; the capitals are as full as elegance would allow, and all the surfaces are flat, with ornaments relieved by incision. In the lower tier of arches (Woodcut No. 891) this is boldly and beautifully done, the marble being left to tell its own story. In the upper tier.