Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/502

 444 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. rp:xaissance. E. Columns. — The Classic columns and orders were revived and used decorativelyin facades, as in the Roman manner (Nos. 195, 196, 197, 200, 205, 2ig and 248), and structurally as for porticos (Nos. 193 a, k, igS g, h and 254). The shafts were often rusticated, fluted spirally, or wreathed with bands of foliage and fruit. " I, from no building, gay or solemn. Can spare the shapely Grecian column." F. Mouldings.— The principal cornice plays an important part in the style, and in the Floren- tine palaces is bold and impres- sive (Nos. igi, 192 and 19S). Cornices, however, often mark each story (Nos. 207, 209, 210 and 215). The contours of mouldings follow on Roman lines, as may be seen in the architrave (Nos. 194, 206, 214 and 218), but many new combinations of mouldings were designed. Cornices and other features of Classic origin (Nos. 191, 192, 197, 198, 207, 2og, 210 and 212) occur in every building, and are beautifully carved, refinement being an essential quality. Cornices, balconies, string bands, and horizontal features generally (Nos. 197 and 209) are strongly pronounced, and by their fre- quency and importance produce an effect of liorizontaliiy. G. Ornament. — The human figure abandoned as a scale, statuary being often much larger than life-size (Nos. 200, 204, 205 and 254). Stained glass was little used, all the best efforts at color being obtain- ed by means of opaciue decora- tion as fresco or mosaic, which was lavishly applied to interiors, GOTHIC. H. Columns.— Where used, they were entireh- structural, or ex- pressive of pressures upon the piers to which, sometimes, they were attached (Nos. 123, 158, 160 and 177). The relative pro- portion of height to diameter does not exist, and the capitals and bases were either heavily moulded or carved with con- ventional foliage. F. Mouldings.— The parapet, often battlemented, or pierced with open tracery (Nos. 128, 133 and 147), took the place of a cornice, and was less strongly marked than the boldly project- ing Classic cornice. The contours and mouldings are portions of circles joined by fillets, inclosed in rectangular recesses in the early periods, or in later times based on a diagonal splay (No. 146). Tablets and string courses of carved ornament occur (No. 147), varying in outline and treatment in different centuries. Mould- ings depend chiefly for effect upon light and shadow. Vertical features, such as buttresses casting a deep shadow, numerous pinnacles, turrets (Nos. 153, 154, 162 and 185), high roofs, with towers and spires, produce an effect of verticality. G. Ornament. — The human figure adhered to as a scale, thus helping in giving relative value to parts (Nos. 145 g, 156, 161, 164, 165 A, and 177). Stained glass was extensively used, being the chief glory of internal decoration, and partly the raison ifi'tre of the immense traceried windows, which acted as a frame