Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/962

 786 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [June, a hole in it, fixed at the natural level of the eye, so that the model can be seen through that aperture under precisely the same angle of vision as the building really will be; This would not at all hinder the model from being completely examined, or viewed in any other direc- tion, as the card or board might be at- tached to a bent wire, made to hook on the model-stand whenever required. It may here be observed, that models are seldom placed properly, the consequence of which is, that we generally look down upon them as in a bird's-eye view, whereby much of their proper effect is quite lost. This defect might be reme- died, and the advantage of being able to inspect the roof still secured, were the stands upon which models are placed so constructed as to allow them to be raised or lowered at pleasure, by means of a screw and winch handle. "Another circumstance which renders it prudent not to trust too implicitly to models is, that they do not express color, particularly if executed in plaster. They flatter the eye by that brilliancy of decidedand uniform white, which not even a newly erected stone building possesses ; consequently they rather show a degree of beauty which is desirable, than one which is attainable ; that is, what per- sons in general would consider to be such, although, in a painter's estimation, it would more frequently than not be considered a defect. Hence a model is apt very frequently to mislead the judg- ment ; and, more especiallj 7, to impose upon those who delighted with it as a miniature resemblance, think that, be- cause the model looks 'very pretty,' the budding must of course look very beautiful. Unless the windows are real apertures, it is advisable that they should be colored of a tolerably dark hue, since, if that be not done, they will have the effect of blank windows, therebj' occasioning an appearance of breadth and repose which the real structure can- not possess. "In spite of these drawbacks, which, by being known and kept in mind, are reduced to very trifling ones, models recommend themselves by decided ad- vantages of their own, since they enable us to study every imaginable effect of sides which, a well-executed model is in itself a highly pleasing and ornamental work of art. All this, however, is to be understood with some qualification ; for, if a design consists only of flat eleva- tions, with no variety of outline, and no projecting part to fling shadows on others, the model would show little more than might be seen b3^ geometrical drawings of all its fronts, and would be of little further service than that of ex- hibiting the form of the roof. In such cases, therefore, very cheap and expe- ditiously made models might be pre- pared, b}r drawing all the separate ele- vations, and pasting them on a hollow frame or box, and afterwards putting on a roof of pastebord. The chief difficulty would be the cornices, for the projection of the other mouldings would not re- quire to be noticed ; yet these might be separately formed in wood or plaster, and then glued on and colored like the rest. Should there be occasion to show breaks in any of the elevations, the block must be shaped accordingly, and the divisions of the elevation pasted on separately: in fact even entire columns and entablatures in relief might be added, after as much had been done as conveniently could be by mere surfaces; yet this would hardly be worth while, for the time and cost bestowed upon it would almost equal that required for a perfectly executed model ; whereas the facility of preparing them would be the chief recommendation of such sketch or block models. " Having spoken of models, let us now consider the exclusive advantages pos- sessed by geometrical drawings. Some more than ordinary recommendation they certainly ought to possess ; for they find so very little favor in the eyes of most persons, that they will hardly
 * light and shade, and of perspective. Be-