DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26747#0744
680
FRENCH ARCHITECTURE.
Book III.
the aim for whicli it was designed, and not onty practically has cansed
the ruin of the bnilding and prevented its completion, bnt has so far
destroyed its artistic effect as to naake it an example of what shonld
be ayoided ratlier than of what shonld be followed. It has all that
want of repose and solidity which has often been made the reproach
of Gothic architectnre. Notwitkstanding its size it has no majesty;
and though it has stood so long it has a painful appearance of insta-
bility: its whole construction looks like props applied to prevent its
falling, rather than, as in the earlier buildings, additional strength
insuring durability. Even its details, as skown in tke woodcut No.
546, representing one of the transepts, show an attenuation and
meagreness very unusual in Frenck arckitecture, and, tkougk graceful,
have neither the power of the earlier nor the richness characteristic of
' contemporary buildings.
The cathedral of Noyon is an earlier example, and one of the best
and most elegant transition speci-
mens in France, having been com-
menced about the year 1137, and
completed, as we now see it, in 1167.
Here the circular arch had not en-
tirety disappeared. This was owing
to its early date, and to its situation
near the German border, and its
connection with the see of Tour-
nay, with which it was long united.
Like the sister clrurch at that place,
it was triapsal, which gave it great
elegance of arrangement. The one
defect of this form seems to be, that
it does not lend itself easily to the
combination of towers, which were
then so muck in vogue.
In singular contrast to tkis is
tke neighbouring cathedral of Laon,
one of tke very few in France wkick
kave no ckevet. Itterminates witli
a square east end, like an English
church, except that it has there a
great circular window only instead
of the immense wall of glass usually
adopted in this country. In style
it more resembles tke catliedral of
Paris than any other, thougk cover-
ing less ground and smaller in all
lts features. Its great glory is its crowning group of towers. Tke
two western (with the exception of their spires), and the two at. tke
end of tke northern transept are complete. On the soutkem side
only one has been carried to its full height, and the central lantern is
now crowned by a low pyramidal roof instead of the tall spire that
547. Plan of Cathedral at Noyon. From Uamee’s
Monograpliie. Scale 100 feet to 1 ineh.
FRENCH ARCHITECTURE.
Book III.
the aim for whicli it was designed, and not onty practically has cansed
the ruin of the bnilding and prevented its completion, bnt has so far
destroyed its artistic effect as to naake it an example of what shonld
be ayoided ratlier than of what shonld be followed. It has all that
want of repose and solidity which has often been made the reproach
of Gothic architectnre. Notwitkstanding its size it has no majesty;
and though it has stood so long it has a painful appearance of insta-
bility: its whole construction looks like props applied to prevent its
falling, rather than, as in the earlier buildings, additional strength
insuring durability. Even its details, as skown in tke woodcut No.
546, representing one of the transepts, show an attenuation and
meagreness very unusual in Frenck arckitecture, and, tkougk graceful,
have neither the power of the earlier nor the richness characteristic of
' contemporary buildings.
The cathedral of Noyon is an earlier example, and one of the best
and most elegant transition speci-
mens in France, having been com-
menced about the year 1137, and
completed, as we now see it, in 1167.
Here the circular arch had not en-
tirety disappeared. This was owing
to its early date, and to its situation
near the German border, and its
connection with the see of Tour-
nay, with which it was long united.
Like the sister clrurch at that place,
it was triapsal, which gave it great
elegance of arrangement. The one
defect of this form seems to be, that
it does not lend itself easily to the
combination of towers, which were
then so muck in vogue.
In singular contrast to tkis is
tke neighbouring cathedral of Laon,
one of tke very few in France wkick
kave no ckevet. Itterminates witli
a square east end, like an English
church, except that it has there a
great circular window only instead
of the immense wall of glass usually
adopted in this country. In style
it more resembles tke catliedral of
Paris than any other, thougk cover-
ing less ground and smaller in all
lts features. Its great glory is its crowning group of towers. Tke
two western (with the exception of their spires), and the two at. tke
end of tke northern transept are complete. On the soutkem side
only one has been carried to its full height, and the central lantern is
now crowned by a low pyramidal roof instead of the tall spire that
547. Plan of Cathedral at Noyon. From Uamee’s
Monograpliie. Scale 100 feet to 1 ineh.