DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29899#0106
86
FRENCH ARCHITECTURE.
Paet II.
will be observed from the preceding woodcut that sculpture is used in a
profusion of which no example belonging to a later age exists ; and
though we cannot help admiring the larger proportions and broader
masses of subsequent builders, still there is a richness and a graphic
power in the exuberant sculpture of the earlier façades which we miss
in after ages, and of which no mere masonic excellence can ever supply
the place.
This, though not the largest, is probably the best and richest
church of its class in this province. The borcler churches of Parthenay,
Civray, and Ruffec, all show
traces of the same style and
forms all more or less richly
carried out ; but none have the
characteristic corner towers,
nor clo they retain their
pedimented gable so perfect as
JSTotre Dame at Poitiers.
Besides this one there are
four churches in Poitiers, all
which were certainly erected
in the llth century, and the
greater part of them still
retain unaltered the features
of that age. The oldest, St.
Hilaire (a.d. 1049), is remark-
able for an irregularity of plan
sufficient to puzzle all the
antiquaries of the land, and
which is only to be accounted
for on the supposition of its
having been built on the
foundation of some earlier
church, which it has replaced.
Montierneuf (1066) pos-
sesses in its nave a circular-headed tunnel-vault, ornamented with
transverse ribs only, but resting on arches which cut slightly into it.
It has no stzûng-course or plain wall, as is usual in' the South, and in
this shows a tendency towards intersecting vaulting, indicative of an
approach to the Horthern style.
The most remarkable pai’ts of St. Porchaire and St. Radegonde are
their western towers, which are fine specimens of their class, especially
that of the latter, whic-h changes pleasingly into an octagon before
terminating in a short spire. Altogether this church shows that
elegance of feeling t-he want of which is a chief defect of the contem-
porai’y Norman style.
590. Plan of Cathedral at Poitiers. (From Coulier’s
‘ Histoire de la Cathédrale de Poitiers.’) Scale 100 ft. to 1 in.
FRENCH ARCHITECTURE.
Paet II.
will be observed from the preceding woodcut that sculpture is used in a
profusion of which no example belonging to a later age exists ; and
though we cannot help admiring the larger proportions and broader
masses of subsequent builders, still there is a richness and a graphic
power in the exuberant sculpture of the earlier façades which we miss
in after ages, and of which no mere masonic excellence can ever supply
the place.
This, though not the largest, is probably the best and richest
church of its class in this province. The borcler churches of Parthenay,
Civray, and Ruffec, all show
traces of the same style and
forms all more or less richly
carried out ; but none have the
characteristic corner towers,
nor clo they retain their
pedimented gable so perfect as
JSTotre Dame at Poitiers.
Besides this one there are
four churches in Poitiers, all
which were certainly erected
in the llth century, and the
greater part of them still
retain unaltered the features
of that age. The oldest, St.
Hilaire (a.d. 1049), is remark-
able for an irregularity of plan
sufficient to puzzle all the
antiquaries of the land, and
which is only to be accounted
for on the supposition of its
having been built on the
foundation of some earlier
church, which it has replaced.
Montierneuf (1066) pos-
sesses in its nave a circular-headed tunnel-vault, ornamented with
transverse ribs only, but resting on arches which cut slightly into it.
It has no stzûng-course or plain wall, as is usual in' the South, and in
this shows a tendency towards intersecting vaulting, indicative of an
approach to the Horthern style.
The most remarkable pai’ts of St. Porchaire and St. Radegonde are
their western towers, which are fine specimens of their class, especially
that of the latter, whic-h changes pleasingly into an octagon before
terminating in a short spire. Altogether this church shows that
elegance of feeling t-he want of which is a chief defect of the contem-
porai’y Norman style.
590. Plan of Cathedral at Poitiers. (From Coulier’s
‘ Histoire de la Cathédrale de Poitiers.’) Scale 100 ft. to 1 in.