DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7186#0047
Plates 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11.
THE CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DEL CARMINE, PA VIA.
T 2 % 4 k b 7 is 9 10 ,.,v
^ t 1 1 1 1 T 1 i 1 7 1 Metres.
Scale
of f
Plate 7. J , j '? V 2,° 2,5 English feet.
LL writers who have treated of this church agree as to the excellent
materials used in building it. Amongst them Malaspina of Sannazaro,
in his Guide to Pavia,1 speaks thus : ' The church of the Carmine
is avast edifice, erected in 1373 ; and although belonging to the then dominant
style commonly termed Gothic, as is proved by its long narrow aisles and
pointed arches, yet as it is exempt from insignificant and obtrusive details, and
is graced with grand and harmonious proportions, tbe result is a majestic and
impressive church ; and this, through the excellence of its material, which is
indeed terra-cotta, but being smooth and joined with a very small portion of
first-rate lime, endures almost as if it were formed of hewn stone.'
Thus we have a fresh proof that, sound rules being observed, brick wears
better than certain qualities of stone. In the structure of this church the
sculptures jut out very noticeably, and are carefully wrought with such surface
inequalities as impart salience to those points which should catch the eye and
produce effect. The number of figures surrounding the great rose-window in
the centre of the facade (see Plate 9), as also of those surrounding the windows
and door-jambs, is great; their arrangement is complicated; and they arc
composed of countless bricks; yet so neatly joined and polished are the figures,
and so gracefully rounded, as to appear each of a single block.
1 Pavia, 1819.
THE CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DEL CARMINE, PA VIA.
T 2 % 4 k b 7 is 9 10 ,.,v
^ t 1 1 1 1 T 1 i 1 7 1 Metres.
Scale
of f
Plate 7. J , j '? V 2,° 2,5 English feet.
LL writers who have treated of this church agree as to the excellent
materials used in building it. Amongst them Malaspina of Sannazaro,
in his Guide to Pavia,1 speaks thus : ' The church of the Carmine
is avast edifice, erected in 1373 ; and although belonging to the then dominant
style commonly termed Gothic, as is proved by its long narrow aisles and
pointed arches, yet as it is exempt from insignificant and obtrusive details, and
is graced with grand and harmonious proportions, tbe result is a majestic and
impressive church ; and this, through the excellence of its material, which is
indeed terra-cotta, but being smooth and joined with a very small portion of
first-rate lime, endures almost as if it were formed of hewn stone.'
Thus we have a fresh proof that, sound rules being observed, brick wears
better than certain qualities of stone. In the structure of this church the
sculptures jut out very noticeably, and are carefully wrought with such surface
inequalities as impart salience to those points which should catch the eye and
produce effect. The number of figures surrounding the great rose-window in
the centre of the facade (see Plate 9), as also of those surrounding the windows
and door-jambs, is great; their arrangement is complicated; and they arc
composed of countless bricks; yet so neatly joined and polished are the figures,
and so gracefully rounded, as to appear each of a single block.
1 Pavia, 1819.