DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73713#0156
151
THE WORKS OF
much to the ruin of the art. The countries
ignorant and remote, such as France and Ger-
many, not knowing even the principles of
Grecian architecture, it was not possible that
they could introduce a good taste, and by that
they not had only some idea of the art of build-
ing. Perhaps by means of religion, and some
fugitive Grecian monks, they communicated
to the aforesaid nations some idea of,the edifices
of Constantinople; and with that they con-
stru&ed some temples, employing only the
pure rules of the mechanism of building. Fi-
nally they augmented that method, and making
all meritconsistin difficulty and boldness, and not
in elegance, appeared in those nations, such ex-
travagant and strange things, totally contrary to
good taste and reason; and casually they esta-
blished that taste of Architecture which by abuse
they called Gothic, and which is truly German.
The new Empire being ess;ablished in Germany,
the splendour ofthe court was the cause whicli
propagated its factions in other nations, and in
that manner the aforesaid style of architecture
extended itsels throughout Europe, and re-
mained until Italy had dissipated every barba-
Tism that was introduced there. The Venitians^
I believe, were the sirst who in honour to St.
Mark, built a magnificent temple, availing of a
Grecian architect, who, notwithstanding he
preserved the barbarous style of the age, was not
so extravagant in the proportions, as thole who
are called purely Gothics. Arches and cupolas
partake also of grandeur, in their curves, al,
though very far from true beauty.
THE WORKS OF
much to the ruin of the art. The countries
ignorant and remote, such as France and Ger-
many, not knowing even the principles of
Grecian architecture, it was not possible that
they could introduce a good taste, and by that
they not had only some idea of the art of build-
ing. Perhaps by means of religion, and some
fugitive Grecian monks, they communicated
to the aforesaid nations some idea of,the edifices
of Constantinople; and with that they con-
stru&ed some temples, employing only the
pure rules of the mechanism of building. Fi-
nally they augmented that method, and making
all meritconsistin difficulty and boldness, and not
in elegance, appeared in those nations, such ex-
travagant and strange things, totally contrary to
good taste and reason; and casually they esta-
blished that taste of Architecture which by abuse
they called Gothic, and which is truly German.
The new Empire being ess;ablished in Germany,
the splendour ofthe court was the cause whicli
propagated its factions in other nations, and in
that manner the aforesaid style of architecture
extended itsels throughout Europe, and re-
mained until Italy had dissipated every barba-
Tism that was introduced there. The Venitians^
I believe, were the sirst who in honour to St.
Mark, built a magnificent temple, availing of a
Grecian architect, who, notwithstanding he
preserved the barbarous style of the age, was not
so extravagant in the proportions, as thole who
are called purely Gothics. Arches and cupolas
partake also of grandeur, in their curves, al,
though very far from true beauty.