Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/535

 ITALIAN (VENETIAN) RENAISSANCE. 477 in the new style having Gothic in conjunction with Renaissance details. A notable instance is in the pointed arches of the Renais- sance facade in the courtyard of the Doges' Palace (No. 210 f) (see below). The architecture of Venice is, in general, of a lighter and more graceful kind than that of Florence, columns and pilasters being used freely in all designs. A special Venetian feature is the grouping of the windows near the centre, leaving com- paratively solid boundaries to the facades (No. 207), which facades are comparatively fiat, and have no great projections, in consequence of the houses being situated on the side of canals, and having a straight frontage with the water. The rustication of walls, as at Florence, is unusual, and a cornice usually marks each story (No. 208), in contrast with the great crowning Florentine cornices. Extreme depth was sometimes given to the frieze, in which windows were sometimes placed (No. 210 A, b). The balconies ( No. 209) are graceful and important features, and give light and shade to the fa5ade, having the same effect as the recessing of portions of the structure. The regularity of the disposition of a Venetian fa9ade is described by Browning, who talks of the " Window just with window mating, Door on door exactly waiting." In the later period perfection of details is characteristic of the Venetian Renaissance, as, for instance, in S. Mark's Library and the palaces by Sansovino (a.d. 1479-1570). In Longhena's works and other late examples, the detail became large and projected boldly, producing strong effects of light and shade, heavy rustication being used to contrast the basement with the upper part of the faqade (No. 209). 3. EXAMPLES. SECULAR ARCHITECTURE. The Court to the Doges' Palace (No. 210) was commenced A.D. 14S6, by Ant. Rizzi, the Giant's Staircase, giving access to the upper portions, being erected by Sansovino in a.d. 1554. The facade of the Geological Museum in Piccadilly is founded on the design of the lower part of the courtyard fa9ade of this palace. The Library of S. Mark (a.d. 1536) was erected by San- sovino (No. 210), but the continuation of the design, one order higher round S. Mark's Square, was executed in 1584 by Scamozzi. This design has been followed for the Carlton Club, London.