DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7595#0156
144 ESSAY ON
chap. vi. with the effect produced by the observance of the
rules of perspective, or shocked at their violation,
though he be ignorant of those rules, or perhaps never
heard of any such.
The practice of modern architects thus exhibits a
constant and inveterate struggle between the principles
of ancient Greece, and the present destination of the
art; and we often see the most elegant taste perish in
the contest; for in the midst of all the absurdities that
have been exposed, parts very frequently occur, which
sufficiently prove the skill of the artist; and which
shew, that if his genius had not been crushed by the
incompatible exertions which his situation required, he
might have produced works, fit to rival the best per-
formances of antiquity.
To reconcile the forms of Grecian architecture to
our purposes, is certainly no easy task; it would be
rash, however, to pronounce it impracticable, as no
attempt of the kind seems to have been made in the
only way likely to succeed, namely, by recurring to
the origin of the style, and by attending to those first
principles which the old Greek masters considered as
indispensable.
It is worthy of consideration, on the other hand,
chap. vi. with the effect produced by the observance of the
rules of perspective, or shocked at their violation,
though he be ignorant of those rules, or perhaps never
heard of any such.
The practice of modern architects thus exhibits a
constant and inveterate struggle between the principles
of ancient Greece, and the present destination of the
art; and we often see the most elegant taste perish in
the contest; for in the midst of all the absurdities that
have been exposed, parts very frequently occur, which
sufficiently prove the skill of the artist; and which
shew, that if his genius had not been crushed by the
incompatible exertions which his situation required, he
might have produced works, fit to rival the best per-
formances of antiquity.
To reconcile the forms of Grecian architecture to
our purposes, is certainly no easy task; it would be
rash, however, to pronounce it impracticable, as no
attempt of the kind seems to have been made in the
only way likely to succeed, namely, by recurring to
the origin of the style, and by attending to those first
principles which the old Greek masters considered as
indispensable.
It is worthy of consideration, on the other hand,