DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26747#0821
Chap. I.
SPIRES.
757
of any single example of such an arrangement either in France or
Bngland.
To the same class of sqnare chnrches with slightly projecting chan-
cels belongs the Frauen Kirche at Nuremberg, one of the most ornate
of its kind, and possessing also in its triangularly formed porch another
peculiarity found only in Grermany. The principal entrances to the
cathedrals of Eatisbon and Erfurth are of this description—the latter
being the richest and boldest porch of the kind.
One of the best known examples of the claring degree of attenuation
to which the Germans delighted to carry their works is the choir
(woodcut No. 433) added in 1353 and 1413 to the old circular church
of Charlemagne at Aix-la-Chapelle. As we now see it, the effect is
certainly unpleasing; but if these tall windows were filled with painted
glass, and the walls ancl vault coloured also, the effect woulcl be widely
clifferent. Perhaps it might then be even called beautiful; but with
scarcely a single exception all those churches are now cleprivecl of this
most indispensable part of their architecture, and, instead of being the
principal part of the design, the windows are now only long slits in
the masonry, giving an appearance of weakness without adding to the
beauty or richness of the ornament.
The same remarks apply to the Nicholai Kirche at Zerbst, ancl the
Petri Kirche at Grorlitz, both splendicl late specimens of this exagge-
rated class of Gennan art. By colour they might be restorecl, but as
seen now in the full glare of the cold claylight they want almost every
requisite of true art, and neither their size nor their constructive skill
suffices to recleem them from the reproach.
Spires.
Except the open-work spires above described, and the others men-
tioned in the preceding pages, those of Germany are not, as a generai
rule, remarkable either for their beauty or their elevation. There is
one at Landshut, however, that is an exception to this remark, being
425 ft. in height, principally constructed of brick, of very graceful
outline, though composed of too rnany parts and divided into too many
stories to possess all the requisites of a good spire. That attached to
the cathedral at Frankfort has also been much admired, but though
some of its details are certainly good, it by no means merits the praise
that has been bestowed upon it.
SPIRES.
757
of any single example of such an arrangement either in France or
Bngland.
To the same class of sqnare chnrches with slightly projecting chan-
cels belongs the Frauen Kirche at Nuremberg, one of the most ornate
of its kind, and possessing also in its triangularly formed porch another
peculiarity found only in Grermany. The principal entrances to the
cathedrals of Eatisbon and Erfurth are of this description—the latter
being the richest and boldest porch of the kind.
One of the best known examples of the claring degree of attenuation
to which the Germans delighted to carry their works is the choir
(woodcut No. 433) added in 1353 and 1413 to the old circular church
of Charlemagne at Aix-la-Chapelle. As we now see it, the effect is
certainly unpleasing; but if these tall windows were filled with painted
glass, and the walls ancl vault coloured also, the effect woulcl be widely
clifferent. Perhaps it might then be even called beautiful; but with
scarcely a single exception all those churches are now cleprivecl of this
most indispensable part of their architecture, and, instead of being the
principal part of the design, the windows are now only long slits in
the masonry, giving an appearance of weakness without adding to the
beauty or richness of the ornament.
The same remarks apply to the Nicholai Kirche at Zerbst, ancl the
Petri Kirche at Grorlitz, both splendicl late specimens of this exagge-
rated class of Gennan art. By colour they might be restorecl, but as
seen now in the full glare of the cold claylight they want almost every
requisite of true art, and neither their size nor their constructive skill
suffices to recleem them from the reproach.
Spires.
Except the open-work spires above described, and the others men-
tioned in the preceding pages, those of Germany are not, as a generai
rule, remarkable either for their beauty or their elevation. There is
one at Landshut, however, that is an exception to this remark, being
425 ft. in height, principally constructed of brick, of very graceful
outline, though composed of too rnany parts and divided into too many
stories to possess all the requisites of a good spire. That attached to
the cathedral at Frankfort has also been much admired, but though
some of its details are certainly good, it by no means merits the praise
that has been bestowed upon it.