DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0638
530 ORVIETO. [chap. xxix.
combination of the three Sister Graces of Art. I
could say much of the interior and its decorations—of
its spaciousness and gloomy grandeur, more devotion-
stirring than other cathedrals of Central Italy-—of the
massive banded columns, with their quaint capitals—of
the frescoed walls and chapels, and the manifold treasures
of art—the dignity and simplicity of Mochi's Virgin—the
intensity of feeling in the Pieta of Scalza, and its well-
contrasted divinity and humanity—the delicacy, tender-
ness, and celestial purity and radiancy of Fra Angelico's
frescoes,—and above all I could descant on the glories of
Luca Signorelli, not elsewhere to be appreciated—on the
elevated poetry, the grandeur of composition, the grace and
truthfulness of execution of those marvellous and awful
frescoes which have immortalized his name, and made
him a model of sublimity to RafFaelle and Michael Angelo.
But such subjects are foreign to my theme, and I must
pass them by, simply assuring the traveller, that no town in
Central Italy more urgently demands a visit, for the beauty
of its site and surrounding scenery, and for the unrivalled
glories of its Cathedral. If he be in search of objects of
medieval art, let him omit what places he will between
Florence and Rome, but let him see Orvieto.2
2 Orvieto is about 28 miles from Citta at Orvieto. The region of plain and
la Pieve, and 34 from Chiusi. The road ravine is behind him ; that of nndula-
is hilly but tolerably good. It is only tion before him. Abrupt and perpen-
18 miles from Todi—the ancient Tuder dicular forms give place to gentle slopes
in Umbria—an interesting site for its and flowing outlines. Tufo is exchanged
extant remains as well as beautiful for a yellow sandstone full of large
scenery—and more than 40 from Peru- oyster-shells and other marine produc-
gia, by the same road. The traveller tions and often containing thin layers
northward leaves the volcanic district of rounded pebbles.
END OF VOL. I.
LONDONI
BRADBUR1 A.SD EYAJJS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.
combination of the three Sister Graces of Art. I
could say much of the interior and its decorations—of
its spaciousness and gloomy grandeur, more devotion-
stirring than other cathedrals of Central Italy-—of the
massive banded columns, with their quaint capitals—of
the frescoed walls and chapels, and the manifold treasures
of art—the dignity and simplicity of Mochi's Virgin—the
intensity of feeling in the Pieta of Scalza, and its well-
contrasted divinity and humanity—the delicacy, tender-
ness, and celestial purity and radiancy of Fra Angelico's
frescoes,—and above all I could descant on the glories of
Luca Signorelli, not elsewhere to be appreciated—on the
elevated poetry, the grandeur of composition, the grace and
truthfulness of execution of those marvellous and awful
frescoes which have immortalized his name, and made
him a model of sublimity to RafFaelle and Michael Angelo.
But such subjects are foreign to my theme, and I must
pass them by, simply assuring the traveller, that no town in
Central Italy more urgently demands a visit, for the beauty
of its site and surrounding scenery, and for the unrivalled
glories of its Cathedral. If he be in search of objects of
medieval art, let him omit what places he will between
Florence and Rome, but let him see Orvieto.2
2 Orvieto is about 28 miles from Citta at Orvieto. The region of plain and
la Pieve, and 34 from Chiusi. The road ravine is behind him ; that of nndula-
is hilly but tolerably good. It is only tion before him. Abrupt and perpen-
18 miles from Todi—the ancient Tuder dicular forms give place to gentle slopes
in Umbria—an interesting site for its and flowing outlines. Tufo is exchanged
extant remains as well as beautiful for a yellow sandstone full of large
scenery—and more than 40 from Peru- oyster-shells and other marine produc-
gia, by the same road. The traveller tions and often containing thin layers
northward leaves the volcanic district of rounded pebbles.
END OF VOL. I.
LONDONI
BRADBUR1 A.SD EYAJJS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.