DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7186#0035
Plates 3 & 4.] Abbey of Chiaravalle, near Milan.
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panile, two walls were raised at a certain distance and of divers altitudes, to form
a sort of scarp or abutment of central support to the campanile; and thus,
whilst solidity was secured, a graceful outline was produced, slim and pyramidal,
in two divisions with steps ; and as a great part of these little arches is so
pierced that the sky shows through them, much beauty and elegance are
added to the campanile. This edifice, or rather this spire, has several times
been restored ; not altogether, but as regards decorations, cornices, parapets,
&c, because frost and heat frequently displace the bricks. When last restored
it was bound with iron girders to avert possible future ruin. Through a like
precaution, about the year 1500, the four ancient arches of the church were
reinforced by a flying buttress to strengthen the piers.
Details of Cornices, Arcades, Arches, etc., in the Abbey of Chiaravalk.
This church, both within and without, displays great simplicity of struc-
ture. The columns and arches of the interior are of terra-cotta bricks, now
whitewashed, the bases and capitals only excepted.
Anyone viewing this and similar churches must feel that their style, which
has been named Lombardo-Byzantine, is admirably suited to sacred edifices
characterized as it is by grand simplicity, sufficiency of decoration, and solidity ;
all these seeming to express the primitive simplicity of Christianity in those
first ages from which we have so far diverged. The interior has been ruined
and defaced by whitewash : some of the ' barocco' chapels are, however, very
pretty, and have on their walls and ceilings fine paintings, by good masters,
of the seventeenth century. The cupola is painted in compartments and skil-
fully adorned with pleasing colours, in the taste and style of the fourteenth
century.
f
!7
panile, two walls were raised at a certain distance and of divers altitudes, to form
a sort of scarp or abutment of central support to the campanile; and thus,
whilst solidity was secured, a graceful outline was produced, slim and pyramidal,
in two divisions with steps ; and as a great part of these little arches is so
pierced that the sky shows through them, much beauty and elegance are
added to the campanile. This edifice, or rather this spire, has several times
been restored ; not altogether, but as regards decorations, cornices, parapets,
&c, because frost and heat frequently displace the bricks. When last restored
it was bound with iron girders to avert possible future ruin. Through a like
precaution, about the year 1500, the four ancient arches of the church were
reinforced by a flying buttress to strengthen the piers.
Details of Cornices, Arcades, Arches, etc., in the Abbey of Chiaravalk.
This church, both within and without, displays great simplicity of struc-
ture. The columns and arches of the interior are of terra-cotta bricks, now
whitewashed, the bases and capitals only excepted.
Anyone viewing this and similar churches must feel that their style, which
has been named Lombardo-Byzantine, is admirably suited to sacred edifices
characterized as it is by grand simplicity, sufficiency of decoration, and solidity ;
all these seeming to express the primitive simplicity of Christianity in those
first ages from which we have so far diverged. The interior has been ruined
and defaced by whitewash : some of the ' barocco' chapels are, however, very
pretty, and have on their walls and ceilings fine paintings, by good masters,
of the seventeenth century. The cupola is painted in compartments and skil-
fully adorned with pleasing colours, in the taste and style of the fourteenth
century.
f