On the Old Road, Vol. 2 (of 2): A Collection of Miscellaneous Essays and Articles on Art and LiteratureRuskin, John
General
On the Old Road, Vol. 2 (of 2): A Collection of Miscellaneous Essays and Articles on Art and Literature
Ruskin, John
Art; Essays; Literature
(5.) _Capital of the Pillar sustained by the Griffin, of which the base
is seen in No. 4._ (A.)
First-rate sculpture of the time, and admirably drawn.
(6.) _Portion of decorative Lombardic molding from the South Side of the
Duomo._ (A.)
Showing the peculiar writhing of the branched tracery with a
serpentine flexure--altogether different from the springing lines
of Gothic ornament. It would be almost impossible to draw this
better; it is much more like the real thing than a cast would be.
(7.) _Lion, with Dragon in its claws, of Lombardic sculpture_ (now built
into a wall at Venice); _above it, head of one of the Dogs which
support the Tomb of Can Grande, at Verona._ (R.)
The lion--in its emaciated strength, and the serpent with its vital
writhe and deadly reverted bite, are both characteristic of the
finest Lombard work. The dog's head is 14th century Gothic--a
masterpiece of broad, subtle, easy sculpture, getting expression
with every touch, and never losing the least undulation of surface,
while it utterly disdains the mere imitation of hair, or attainment
of effect by deep cutting.
SECTION II. NOS. 8 TO 38. GOTHIC.
244. (8.) _North Porch of the Church of St. Fermo._ 13th century. (B.)
Mr. Bunney's drawing is so faithful and careful as almost to enable
the spectator to imagine himself on the spot. The details of this
porch are among the most interesting in the Gothic of Italy, but I
was obliged, last year, to be content with this general view, taken
in terror of the whole being "restored"; and with the two following
drawings.
(9.) _Base of the Central Pillar. North Porch, St. Fermo._ (B.)
In facsimile, as nearly as possible, and of the real size, to show
the perpetual variety in the touch; and in the disposition and size
of the masses.
(10.) _Shaft-Capitals of the Interior Arch of the North Porch, St.
Fermo._ (B.)
Contrived so that, while appearing symmetrical, and even
monotonous, not one lobe of any of the leaves shall be like
another.
Quite superb in the original, but grievously difficult to draw, and
losing, in this sketch, much of their grace.
245. (11.) _Western Door of the Church of St. Anastasia, with the Tomb
of the Count of Castelbarco on the left, over the arch._ (Photograph.)
In the door, its central pillar, carved lintels and encompassing
large pointed arch, with its deep moldings and flanking shafts, are
of the finest Veronese 13th century work. The two minor pointed
arches are of the 14th century. The flanking pilasters, with double
panels and garlands above, are the beginning of a facade intended
to have been erected in the 15th century.
The Count of Castelbarco, the Chancellor of Can Grande della Scala,
died about the year 1330, and his tomb cannot be much later in
date.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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