In five cases, the _size_ of the principal unit varies as well as the
content, but in four cases the variation of size is either at each end,
or in the centre unit, to emphasize bilateral symmetry of the series as
a whole. The series in this case is taken as a larger unity of which
the separate units are parts; and hence they are not only repeated with
respect to themselves, but are symmetrical with respect to the whole.
In the other case where the size of the principal unit varies, it
varies on _every other one_, thereby complicating but not confusing the
rhythm, _i. e._, a stronger accent comes on every other principal unit.
There are also five cases in which the alternate spaces vary in size.
Three vary regularly, thereby enriching the rhythm by introducing
alternate heavy beats, and one varies at each end of the series to
emphasize bilateral symmetry of the whole, with regard to the central
unit. In the other case the alternates vary in both shape and size,
with no regularity and from the point of view of repetition alone,
disorder is all that results. This is on the Palazzo Pretoria in
Pistoia, where carved shields occur at equal distances between windows.
These shields are not component parts of the building, but were added
with some other kind of significance; hence they express nothing so far
as repetition for its own sake is concerned.
The other variations are all in the _content_ of the alternate, minor
space. Four vary _symmetrically_ in the designs on each side of the
central point, so as to accent the bilateral symmetry of the whole
taken as a unity. Two vary rhythmically in design, _i. e._, there are
two sets of designs which alternate with each other in the unaccented
spaces. When they vary regularly in design, the rhythm of the whole
is _enriched_ not confused, provided there are only _two_ sets, not
three or more. The alternate spaces are passed over on the way to
the principal unit, but by having an alternating design between them
(varying only in detail, but of the same general character) a more
complex rhythm is introduced which is good, since in both cases the
alternates and principal units are so different they could not possibly
be confused with each other, even though both varied. (In one case,
turrets and statues vary with windows of the same shape but different
decorations; in the other, arched windows and arched spaces alternate
with statues.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account