DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7186#0056
Plate 12.
THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO, IN PA VIA.
A PORTION OF THE FACADE.
HAVE had to represent this building by a geometrical elevation show-
ing the facade, in order to convey its just proportions and divisions ;
but, for the lovers of picturesque perspective, a far more advantageous
view is obtained laterally, and I should say that this is the pictorial effect aimed
at by the architect who designed it. The architects of those days appear, before
commencing a work, to have foreseen its pictorial or perspective effect; and this
church, situated at the opening of long roads, presents a picturesque aspect from
every point of approach, and assumes an air of importance beyond what really
belongs to it. I would gladly have portrayed it for the sake merely of its fine
effect; but have abandoned this intention in order to show, with how little cost,
and with what great economy, a facade may be completely decorated. The main
secret consists in conceiving a good composition, combining unity of idea with
variety of line, otherwise ornamentation the most ingenious, choice, and elaborate,
would fail of its effect, and be but labour lost: a risk sadly exemplified in mo-
dern Milan, whose architects load ornament on ornament with much pedantry
and hair-splitting, observing every rule of finish and precision; in spite of which
their works lack effect, and fail even to command notice from passers-by. The
old men, on the other hand, ignored a hundred pedantries, and achieved what was
pictorially and scenically effective. They have indeed left us monuments of signal
painstaking and exactness ; yet often precision, perfect symmetry, and equality
of treatment were neglected ; whilst, thoroughly understanding the nature of their
materials, they took heed to obtain these of sound quality; and thus their struc-
tures have withstood the ravages of time, as is the case with this church of San
THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO, IN PA VIA.
A PORTION OF THE FACADE.
HAVE had to represent this building by a geometrical elevation show-
ing the facade, in order to convey its just proportions and divisions ;
but, for the lovers of picturesque perspective, a far more advantageous
view is obtained laterally, and I should say that this is the pictorial effect aimed
at by the architect who designed it. The architects of those days appear, before
commencing a work, to have foreseen its pictorial or perspective effect; and this
church, situated at the opening of long roads, presents a picturesque aspect from
every point of approach, and assumes an air of importance beyond what really
belongs to it. I would gladly have portrayed it for the sake merely of its fine
effect; but have abandoned this intention in order to show, with how little cost,
and with what great economy, a facade may be completely decorated. The main
secret consists in conceiving a good composition, combining unity of idea with
variety of line, otherwise ornamentation the most ingenious, choice, and elaborate,
would fail of its effect, and be but labour lost: a risk sadly exemplified in mo-
dern Milan, whose architects load ornament on ornament with much pedantry
and hair-splitting, observing every rule of finish and precision; in spite of which
their works lack effect, and fail even to command notice from passers-by. The
old men, on the other hand, ignored a hundred pedantries, and achieved what was
pictorially and scenically effective. They have indeed left us monuments of signal
painstaking and exactness ; yet often precision, perfect symmetry, and equality
of treatment were neglected ; whilst, thoroughly understanding the nature of their
materials, they took heed to obtain these of sound quality; and thus their struc-
tures have withstood the ravages of time, as is the case with this church of San