Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/557

 FRENCH RENAISSANCE. 499 The latter reign was a period of remarkable artistic activity, the architecture being correct and dignified with a large use of the orders externally, while internally a fanciful style of stucco and papier macjie decoration of scrolls, nymphs, wreaths, shells and figures form important elements. (c.) The Rococo Period, 17 15-1793 (or eighteenth century), com- prising the Reigns of: — Louis XV. 1715-1774, and Louis XVI. 1774-1793. In order to understand better the architectural character of French Renaissance it is compared with Italian in the following table : — ITALIAN RENAISSANCE. A direct return to Classic forms occurred. Considerable variety however arose in use and dis- position of the revived architec- tural features (No. 204). Principal buildings erected in towns, as Florence, Rome, and Venice, being palaces for kings, dukes and wealthy and powerful popes (Nos. 192, 195 and 207). Severe Classic disposition not only appropriate but necessary in the narrow streets of Florence and Rome, or on the straight water- ways of Venice. Influence of ancient Rome and her buildings apparent in greater purity of sculptured detail, and in ornamental features. A city palace as in Florence, Venice, or Rome is principally seen from the street, and the architectural features were often applique, i.e., only applied to the front fa9ade (No. 207). Predominant characteristics are stateliness and a tendency to Classical horizontality. Early buildings were principally churches, in consequence of the comparative fewness of these buildings erected in the Middle Ages. It was essentially a church-building age (Nos. 193, igg, 203, 211, 212), although the number of Italian palaces of the epoch is very large. FRENCH RENAISSANCE. A period of transition in which Renaissance details were grafted on to Gothic forms, as at the Church of S. Eustache (No. 222), Paris, Chateau de Blois (No. 219). Principal buildings erected in the country, mostly on the banks of the Loire, being palaces built for royalty and nobility, as Chambord (No. 220). The picturesque disposition of Gothic origin, more in keeping with the country surroundings, where the chief buildings were erected (No. 221). Influence of Rome less apparent, partly because of distance from the headquarters of the Renais- sance movement. A country chateau is seen on all sides, and the importance of a picturesque grouping from every point of view (Nos. 220, 221) was sought for in these buildings, so that every fa9ade was of importance. Predominant characteristics are picturesqueness, and a tendency to Gothic verticality (No. 222). Early buildings were principally chateaux for the nobility, who vied with each other in the erec- tion of these important struc- tures. The large number of the churches of the Middle Ages sufficed for existing needs. It was essentially a palace-building epoch (Nos. 220, 221 and 223). K K 2