Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/597

 Bk. II. Ch. X. WINDOWS. 565 Window, St. Martin, Pans. whole ]>illar took an appearance of cold poverty entirely at A-ariance with the true spirit of Gothic art. This last change showed, per- haps more clearly than those introduced into any other feature, how entirely the art had *g died away before the classical styles super- seded it. Windows. Before painted glass came into use, very small apertures sufficed to admit the re- quired quantity of light into the churches. These openings retained their circular-arched licads long after the pointed form pervaded the vaults and pier arches, because the archi- tects still thought them the most beautiful ; they moreover occupied so small a portion of the Avail spaces that their lines neither came in contact nor interfered with the constructive lines of the building itself; but when it was r('(iuirc<l to enlarge them for the purpose of receiving large pictures the retention of the circular form was no longer practicable. The Woodcut No. 388, showing the side elevation of Notre Dame at Paris, illustrates well thi-ee stages of this process as practised in the 12th and 18th centuries. It exhibits "first the large undivided window without mullions, the glass being supported by strong iron bars ; next, that wath one muUion and a circular rose in the head ; and lastly, in the lower story, a complete traceried window. The transition from the old small window to the first of these is easily explained, and the Woodcut No. 415, representing one of the windows in St. Martin at Paris, will explain the transition from the first to the second. Instead of one large undivided opening, it was often thought more expedient to introduce tAvo lancets side by side; but as these never filled, nor could fill, the space of one bay so as to follow its principal lines, it became usual to introduce a circular windoAv of greater or less size betAveen their heads. This, Avith the rude construction of the age, presented certain difficulties, which Avere obviated by carrying the masonry of the vault through the wall so as 416. AVindow of Nave of Cathedral at Chartres. 417. AViiiilow ill Clioir of Cathedral at Chartres.