How to Study ArchitectureCaffin, Charles H. (Charles Henry)
History
How to Study Architecture
Caffin, Charles H. (Charles Henry)
Architecture -- History
1. _Widening of the Nave_ in a vertical direction. Where this occurs,
each side of the nave leans outward; three methods being employed,
though not more than one appears in a given church. In one case, there
is a continuous and absolutely straight outward inclination from floor
to vaulting. In another, the outward inclinations recede from floor to
vaulting in delicate vertical curves. In the third, the piers are
perpendicular up to the arcade capitals, where the inclination begins
and is continued in straight lines through the triforium and
clerestories. In this last case, the angle, formed by the two lines,
produces in the large scale of the building the effect of a curve.
The widening in all cases tends to offset the perspective illusion of
vertical lines converging toward the vaulting; but also appears to have
been preferred for other aesthetic reasons.
Instances of continuous widening in straight lines are found in the
=Cathedral= and =Church of St. Ouen=, in =Rouen=. Continuous widening combined
with vertical curvature occurs at =Canterbury=; while the perpendicular
pier, combined with inclined vaulting-shafts, triforium and clerestories
is found in =Amiens= and =Rheims=.
2. _Horizontal Curvature in Plan._ Where this occurs, one of five
methods is adopted.
In the first, the piers are set on parallel curves, which consequently
are convex to the nave on one side and concave to the nave on the other.
In the second, both curves are concave to the nave, which thus widens
slightly from both ends toward the centre. In the third, both curves are
convex to the centre. In the fourth, the curves are parallel, but
reverse their direction at or near the choir, in the form of an
attenuated S, or “Hogarth’s line of beauty.” In all the above instances
the curves start at the bases of the piers and continue in the
triforium, clerestory and roof parapets; in certain cases being also
repeated in the outer aisle walls.
The fifth system is connected with a special phase of the Widening. For,
in this case, the piers are set on a straight line and with the
triforium and clerestory are perpendicular from floor to ceiling. That
is to say, at the west end and the crossing; but, in between, from both
ends, the piers gradually lean outward with an increasing inclination
toward the centre of the nave. Thus result curves, concave to the
interior, which, however, since the bases of the piers are on straight
lines, are found only in the triforium, clerestory and parapet walls.
=Lichfield Cathedral= presents an example; =Rheims= another, but with a
difference. For while the widening in Lichfield begins at the pavement,
that of Rheims starts at the arcade capitals.
3. _So-called Perspective illusions._ These were intended to emphasise
the effect of the choir and generally to increase the suggestion of size
and distance. This was accomplished in three ways.
a. By making the nave arcade and the outside walls converge toward the
choir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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