DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0075
sir christopher wren's opinion.
43
capital, sometimes from the cornice of the entablature. It is not, however,
assumed that this departure from sound architecture was universally and on a sudden
adopted, since many instances prove the contrary ; but I assert that whether the
sPan of the arch was bold or diminutive, whether elegant or clumsy, whether
found or pointed, for use or for ornament, it by degrees obtained the general pre-
it b^6' S° ™ ec^ces constructed subsequently to the reign of Constantine,
^ ecarne their prevailing character, and which, as expressive of the architecture
°m which it is a vitious deviation, I shall denominate Romanesque."36
Though this author in the pursuit of his Inquiry brings forward many instances
P°mted arches and mouldings in sepulchral monuments, medals, and other relics
p ^e ages between the introduction of Christianity and the period when the
omted style appeared in France and England, he has not produced from any
th r C°Untry complete specimens of buildings, which bear much resemblance to
style. He relies chiefly on the illustrations of Mr. Smirke, which have been
Proved to be of later date than Mr. Smirke and Mr. Gunn suppose.
Among the various opinions advanced on the origin of the Pointed style, that
P °posed by Wren, and adopted by Warton,37 which derives it from the Saracens
rough the agency of the Crusaders, has been implicitly received and supported
several writers ; and lately by Mr. Whittington, by his noble editor the Earl of
*rtien, and by Mr. Haggitt*
Christopher Wren was of opinion, that what we now vulgarly call the
0ught properly and truly to be named the Saracenic Architecture refined by
e Christians; which first of all began in the East after the fall of the Greek empire
Pr°digious success of those people that adhered to Mahomet's doctrine, who,
°f zeal to their religion, built mosques, caravanseras, and sepulchres wherever
37 ^quir>'> P 4 and 6.
wjt^ r* ^- Whitaker says, that Warton "treated of Norman and Gothic architecture, not indeed
tjj P10^essional exactness, but with that felicity of real genius which illustrates and adorns every subject
Ess " t0Uclles-" History of Whalley, p. 107. Mr. Willson remarks, concerning Warton, that his
ay on the Ancient Architecture of England, "exhibited a better chronological sketch of different
m'stak ^ 1,0611 Preyiously done : though tlie authority of Sir Christopher Wren led him into some
vni • 6S" R-emarks on Gothic Architecture, prefixed to Pugin's Specimens of Gothic Architecture "
• P- 15.
in a "S gentleman> who, like Mr. Whittington, has studied the subject con amove, has published
Aroiw * volurae> "Two Letters to a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries on the Subject of Gothic
"tatecture » 8vo. 1813.
43
capital, sometimes from the cornice of the entablature. It is not, however,
assumed that this departure from sound architecture was universally and on a sudden
adopted, since many instances prove the contrary ; but I assert that whether the
sPan of the arch was bold or diminutive, whether elegant or clumsy, whether
found or pointed, for use or for ornament, it by degrees obtained the general pre-
it b^6' S° ™ ec^ces constructed subsequently to the reign of Constantine,
^ ecarne their prevailing character, and which, as expressive of the architecture
°m which it is a vitious deviation, I shall denominate Romanesque."36
Though this author in the pursuit of his Inquiry brings forward many instances
P°mted arches and mouldings in sepulchral monuments, medals, and other relics
p ^e ages between the introduction of Christianity and the period when the
omted style appeared in France and England, he has not produced from any
th r C°Untry complete specimens of buildings, which bear much resemblance to
style. He relies chiefly on the illustrations of Mr. Smirke, which have been
Proved to be of later date than Mr. Smirke and Mr. Gunn suppose.
Among the various opinions advanced on the origin of the Pointed style, that
P °posed by Wren, and adopted by Warton,37 which derives it from the Saracens
rough the agency of the Crusaders, has been implicitly received and supported
several writers ; and lately by Mr. Whittington, by his noble editor the Earl of
*rtien, and by Mr. Haggitt*
Christopher Wren was of opinion, that what we now vulgarly call the
0ught properly and truly to be named the Saracenic Architecture refined by
e Christians; which first of all began in the East after the fall of the Greek empire
Pr°digious success of those people that adhered to Mahomet's doctrine, who,
°f zeal to their religion, built mosques, caravanseras, and sepulchres wherever
37 ^quir>'> P 4 and 6.
wjt^ r* ^- Whitaker says, that Warton "treated of Norman and Gothic architecture, not indeed
tjj P10^essional exactness, but with that felicity of real genius which illustrates and adorns every subject
Ess " t0Uclles-" History of Whalley, p. 107. Mr. Willson remarks, concerning Warton, that his
ay on the Ancient Architecture of England, "exhibited a better chronological sketch of different
m'stak ^ 1,0611 Preyiously done : though tlie authority of Sir Christopher Wren led him into some
vni • 6S" R-emarks on Gothic Architecture, prefixed to Pugin's Specimens of Gothic Architecture "
• P- 15.
in a "S gentleman> who, like Mr. Whittington, has studied the subject con amove, has published
Aroiw * volurae> "Two Letters to a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries on the Subject of Gothic
"tatecture » 8vo. 1813.