DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29899#0172
152
FRENCH ARCHITECTURE.
Part II.
that they shoulcl be of different heights. This arrangement of the
aisles was never again fairiy tried in France ; but even as it is, the
cathedral of Bourges must rank after the four first mentioned as the
finest and most perfect of the remaining edifices of its class in that
country. It is singularly beautiful in its details, and happy in its
main proportions ; for owing to the omission of the transept, the
length is exquisitely adapted to the other dimensions. Had a
transept been added, at least 100 ft. of additional length would
have been required to restore the harmony ; and though externally it
would no doubt have gained by such an adjunct, this gain would not
have been adequate to the additional expense so incurred.
641. Section of CatheJral at Bourges. (From Drawings by F. Penrose, Esq., Architect.)
Scale 50 ft. to 1 in.
The greater part of the western façade of this cathedral is of a later
date than the building itself, and is extended so much beyond the pro-
portions required for effect as to overpower the rest of the building, so
that it is only from the sides or the eastern end that all the beauty of
this church can be appreciated.
As far as regards size or richness of decoration, the cathedral of
Orleans deserves to rank as one of the very first in France, and is
remarkable as the only first-class Gothic cathedral erected in Europe
since the Middle Ages. The original church on this site having been
destroyed by the Calvinists, the present cathedral was commenced in
the year 1601 by Henry IV. of France, and although the rebuilding
proceeded at first with great vigour, and the work was never wholly
discontinued, it is even now hardly completed.
FRENCH ARCHITECTURE.
Part II.
that they shoulcl be of different heights. This arrangement of the
aisles was never again fairiy tried in France ; but even as it is, the
cathedral of Bourges must rank after the four first mentioned as the
finest and most perfect of the remaining edifices of its class in that
country. It is singularly beautiful in its details, and happy in its
main proportions ; for owing to the omission of the transept, the
length is exquisitely adapted to the other dimensions. Had a
transept been added, at least 100 ft. of additional length would
have been required to restore the harmony ; and though externally it
would no doubt have gained by such an adjunct, this gain would not
have been adequate to the additional expense so incurred.
641. Section of CatheJral at Bourges. (From Drawings by F. Penrose, Esq., Architect.)
Scale 50 ft. to 1 in.
The greater part of the western façade of this cathedral is of a later
date than the building itself, and is extended so much beyond the pro-
portions required for effect as to overpower the rest of the building, so
that it is only from the sides or the eastern end that all the beauty of
this church can be appreciated.
As far as regards size or richness of decoration, the cathedral of
Orleans deserves to rank as one of the very first in France, and is
remarkable as the only first-class Gothic cathedral erected in Europe
since the Middle Ages. The original church on this site having been
destroyed by the Calvinists, the present cathedral was commenced in
the year 1601 by Henry IV. of France, and although the rebuilding
proceeded at first with great vigour, and the work was never wholly
discontinued, it is even now hardly completed.