DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6910#0046
26
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
declaring that he has here successfully executed one of the most difficult tasks in
architecture. It has stood the test of some centuries ; is admired and praised by
professional men, and is now perfect and secure.
Plate III. Section of a part of the south side.—In this geometrical view are
represented two of the compartments, &c. which occupy the space between three
buttresses. These consist of two large windows, with " five days" or lights each,
and two smaller windows beneath, which communicate with the chantries. The
surface between the windows is ornamented with niches and canopies, also the
armorial bearings and cognizances of the houses of York and Lancaster. The
supporters, crowns, roses, and portcullisses are carved in high alto relievo. Their
respective contours, character, expression, and subordinate minutiae, are evidences
of the artist's taste and talents. Hence it is presumed that they were the works of
some Italian sculptors ; but unfortunately we have no documents perpetuating their
names.
Plate IV. South entrance porch.—The two porches, and western entrance, are
more highly decorated than any other portion of the building. From the earliest
specimens of ecclesiastical edifices, till the dissolution of monachism, the architect
always bestowed the greatest enrichments on the entrances, and particularly on the
western, or principal. Thus the sentiment of admiration and reverence was excited
at the first approach, and the effect of the whole interior, with its concomitant
auxiliaries, all mutually conspired to heighten and confirm this emotion. Hence the
Catholic religion tended to promote the arts, whilst these in grateful return lent
their united assistance to stimulate the passions and feelings in her behalf.
Plate V. The north-west view—exhibits the whole of the northern side, with
part of the west front, in perspective. The five buttresses nearest to the west end
are ornamented with the rose, portcullis, crown, &c. From the ground plan, and
this view, it will be seen that the buttresses project a great way from the base of
the building, and it will be easily conceived that such would have greatly injured
the beauty and external effect of the whole, had not the royal founder judiciously
contrived to fill up the large spaces between the buttresses with the side chapels.
Plate VI. Western front, &c.—The upper portions of the four corner towers
are peculiarly rich and beautiful; being perforated with various figures, and sur-
rounded and crowned with purfled pinnacles, roses, crowns, crochets, &c. Con-
sidering the height of these from the ground, it is rather surprising that the architect
bestowed so much embellishment on them, especially when the lower parts of the
same towers were left plain and bare.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
declaring that he has here successfully executed one of the most difficult tasks in
architecture. It has stood the test of some centuries ; is admired and praised by
professional men, and is now perfect and secure.
Plate III. Section of a part of the south side.—In this geometrical view are
represented two of the compartments, &c. which occupy the space between three
buttresses. These consist of two large windows, with " five days" or lights each,
and two smaller windows beneath, which communicate with the chantries. The
surface between the windows is ornamented with niches and canopies, also the
armorial bearings and cognizances of the houses of York and Lancaster. The
supporters, crowns, roses, and portcullisses are carved in high alto relievo. Their
respective contours, character, expression, and subordinate minutiae, are evidences
of the artist's taste and talents. Hence it is presumed that they were the works of
some Italian sculptors ; but unfortunately we have no documents perpetuating their
names.
Plate IV. South entrance porch.—The two porches, and western entrance, are
more highly decorated than any other portion of the building. From the earliest
specimens of ecclesiastical edifices, till the dissolution of monachism, the architect
always bestowed the greatest enrichments on the entrances, and particularly on the
western, or principal. Thus the sentiment of admiration and reverence was excited
at the first approach, and the effect of the whole interior, with its concomitant
auxiliaries, all mutually conspired to heighten and confirm this emotion. Hence the
Catholic religion tended to promote the arts, whilst these in grateful return lent
their united assistance to stimulate the passions and feelings in her behalf.
Plate V. The north-west view—exhibits the whole of the northern side, with
part of the west front, in perspective. The five buttresses nearest to the west end
are ornamented with the rose, portcullis, crown, &c. From the ground plan, and
this view, it will be seen that the buttresses project a great way from the base of
the building, and it will be easily conceived that such would have greatly injured
the beauty and external effect of the whole, had not the royal founder judiciously
contrived to fill up the large spaces between the buttresses with the side chapels.
Plate VI. Western front, &c.—The upper portions of the four corner towers
are peculiarly rich and beautiful; being perforated with various figures, and sur-
rounded and crowned with purfled pinnacles, roses, crowns, crochets, &c. Con-
sidering the height of these from the ground, it is rather surprising that the architect
bestowed so much embellishment on them, especially when the lower parts of the
same towers were left plain and bare.