DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32037#0014
Vlll
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
subjects; and the variety of invention which these edifices display
is so immense, and their details are frequently of such a rich and
complicated design, tliat a patient and experienced hand is necessary
to produce a faithful picture. Moreover, a comparison of different
subjects is frequently required, in order to discover and elucidate
the principles of their design. The want of these aids occasioned
the failures of Sir Christopher Wren, Hawksmoor, Kent, and other
architects of the two last centuries, in their Gothic works. The
elements of the style had not then been investigated, their knowledge
was limited to superficial observation, and consequently they produced
mishapen abortions of taste.—But, it may be asked, are we to be
confined to a servile imitation of ancient models? By no means.
Such restriction would be absurd. Nevertheless, while so many
bald and imperfect designs are continually produced, even in the
metropolis, to the disgrace of the modern Gothic school, it must be
acknowledged that there is something to be learned, before our works
shall bear a comparison with those of our forefathers. The trusting
too mucli to invention, without sufficient science, has produced an
infinity of contemptible designs. The Gothic Architecture of Batty
Langley is universally condemned, and very justly ;* but other artists
* See “ Gothic Arcliitecture improved by Rules and Proportions, in many grand Designs
of Colmnns, &c. &c. by B. and T. Langley. To which is added, an Historical Disserta-
tion on Gothic Architecture,” in 4to. The number of plates is sixty-two ; all produced
hy the hrothers, Batty and Thomas Langley, and dated in the years 1741, 1742. The
prefatory dissertation is signed with the initials B. L., and occupies seven pages. In it
the author states, that he had assiduously employed himself for upwards of twenty years
in recovering the rules of our ancient architecture, wliich had been lost for many centuries,
in order to restore and publish them for the good of posterity, &c. Such an instance of
perverted ingenuity was perhaps never exhibited hy any other person; for it is hardly
conceivable, that a man should study the ancient buildings of his own country for twenty
years, and then produce nothing but a parcel of strange inventions, totally unlike what
liad ever been practised, The same architect also publislied, besides his opus magnum,
‘‘ The Builder’s Director or Bench-Mate, being a Pocket Treasury of theGrecian, Roman,
and Gothic Orders of Architecture;” with several otlier works of a small size. His
Gothic designs are execrable; but his manner of displaying tlie details of Italian archi-
tecture is very neat and useful.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
subjects; and the variety of invention which these edifices display
is so immense, and their details are frequently of such a rich and
complicated design, tliat a patient and experienced hand is necessary
to produce a faithful picture. Moreover, a comparison of different
subjects is frequently required, in order to discover and elucidate
the principles of their design. The want of these aids occasioned
the failures of Sir Christopher Wren, Hawksmoor, Kent, and other
architects of the two last centuries, in their Gothic works. The
elements of the style had not then been investigated, their knowledge
was limited to superficial observation, and consequently they produced
mishapen abortions of taste.—But, it may be asked, are we to be
confined to a servile imitation of ancient models? By no means.
Such restriction would be absurd. Nevertheless, while so many
bald and imperfect designs are continually produced, even in the
metropolis, to the disgrace of the modern Gothic school, it must be
acknowledged that there is something to be learned, before our works
shall bear a comparison with those of our forefathers. The trusting
too mucli to invention, without sufficient science, has produced an
infinity of contemptible designs. The Gothic Architecture of Batty
Langley is universally condemned, and very justly ;* but other artists
* See “ Gothic Arcliitecture improved by Rules and Proportions, in many grand Designs
of Colmnns, &c. &c. by B. and T. Langley. To which is added, an Historical Disserta-
tion on Gothic Architecture,” in 4to. The number of plates is sixty-two ; all produced
hy the hrothers, Batty and Thomas Langley, and dated in the years 1741, 1742. The
prefatory dissertation is signed with the initials B. L., and occupies seven pages. In it
the author states, that he had assiduously employed himself for upwards of twenty years
in recovering the rules of our ancient architecture, wliich had been lost for many centuries,
in order to restore and publish them for the good of posterity, &c. Such an instance of
perverted ingenuity was perhaps never exhibited hy any other person; for it is hardly
conceivable, that a man should study the ancient buildings of his own country for twenty
years, and then produce nothing but a parcel of strange inventions, totally unlike what
liad ever been practised, The same architect also publislied, besides his opus magnum,
‘‘ The Builder’s Director or Bench-Mate, being a Pocket Treasury of theGrecian, Roman,
and Gothic Orders of Architecture;” with several otlier works of a small size. His
Gothic designs are execrable; but his manner of displaying tlie details of Italian archi-
tecture is very neat and useful.