DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29899#0162
142
FKENCH AECHITECTUKE.
Paet II.
renderecl all tliis of little value to the present generation, and it is
only through the eyes of the artist or the antiquary that we can even
dimly ajDpreciate what was actual instruction to the less educated
citizens of the Middle Ages, and the medium through which they
learned the history of the world, or
heard the glad tidings of salvation
conveved from God to man. All this,
few, if any, can fully enter into now ;
but unless it is felt to at least some
extent, it is impossible these wonderful
buildings can ever be appreciated. In
the Middle Ages, the sculpture, the
painting, the music of the people were
all found in the cathedrals, and there
only. Add to this their ceremonies,
their sanctity, especially that conferrecl
by the relics of saints and martyrs which
they contained—all these things made
these buildings all in all to those who
erected and to those who worshipped in
them.
The cathedral of Beauvais is generally
mentioned in conjunction with that of
Amiens, and justly so, not only in con-
sequence of its local proximity, and from
its being so near it in date, but also
from a general similarity in style.
Beauvais is in fact an exaggeration of
Amiens, and shows defects of design
more to be expected in Germany than in
France. It was commenced five years
later than Amiens, or in 1225, and the
works were vigorously pursued between
the years 1249 and 1267, though the
— dedication did not take place till 1272.
The architects, in their rivalry of their
great neighbour, seem to have attempted
more than they had skill to perform, for the roof fell in in 1284,
and when rebuilt, additional strength was given by the insertion
of another pier between every two of those in the old design, which
served to exaggerate the apparent height of the pier arches. Em-
boldened by this, they seem to have determined to carry the clerestory
to the unprecedented height of 150 ft., or about three times the width,
measuring from the centre of one pier to that of the next. It is
diificult to say what the cffect might liave been had the cathedral been
Bay of Nave of Beauvais (Jathedrul.
No scale.
FKENCH AECHITECTUKE.
Paet II.
renderecl all tliis of little value to the present generation, and it is
only through the eyes of the artist or the antiquary that we can even
dimly ajDpreciate what was actual instruction to the less educated
citizens of the Middle Ages, and the medium through which they
learned the history of the world, or
heard the glad tidings of salvation
conveved from God to man. All this,
few, if any, can fully enter into now ;
but unless it is felt to at least some
extent, it is impossible these wonderful
buildings can ever be appreciated. In
the Middle Ages, the sculpture, the
painting, the music of the people were
all found in the cathedrals, and there
only. Add to this their ceremonies,
their sanctity, especially that conferrecl
by the relics of saints and martyrs which
they contained—all these things made
these buildings all in all to those who
erected and to those who worshipped in
them.
The cathedral of Beauvais is generally
mentioned in conjunction with that of
Amiens, and justly so, not only in con-
sequence of its local proximity, and from
its being so near it in date, but also
from a general similarity in style.
Beauvais is in fact an exaggeration of
Amiens, and shows defects of design
more to be expected in Germany than in
France. It was commenced five years
later than Amiens, or in 1225, and the
works were vigorously pursued between
the years 1249 and 1267, though the
— dedication did not take place till 1272.
The architects, in their rivalry of their
great neighbour, seem to have attempted
more than they had skill to perform, for the roof fell in in 1284,
and when rebuilt, additional strength was given by the insertion
of another pier between every two of those in the old design, which
served to exaggerate the apparent height of the pier arches. Em-
boldened by this, they seem to have determined to carry the clerestory
to the unprecedented height of 150 ft., or about three times the width,
measuring from the centre of one pier to that of the next. It is
diificult to say what the cffect might liave been had the cathedral been
Bay of Nave of Beauvais (Jathedrul.
No scale.