The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
From the series of examples given in this Volume there can scarcely be
any question as to the gradual deterioration of ecclesiastical
architecture which occurred generally throughout Scotland during the
latter half of the fifteenth and the first half of the sixteenth
centuries, and it is certainly surprising to find some exceptionally
good work in a few structures of that period. Amongst these is the aisle
of Car Fergus, in Glasgow Cathedral, the vaulting of which building is
of about the date of 1500, as is evident from its containing several
specimens of Archbishop Blacader’s arms. The work is not all equal, but
the vaulting has the groining (a rare kind of construction in Scotland
at the period) well executed, and the bosses show a wonderful amount and
variety of design. Some of the latter (such as that in the illustration
kindly supplied by Mr. Chalmers in the Appendix) are admirable.
Mr. Chalmers has brought forward a considerable amount of evidence
regarding the rood screen in St. Mungo’s, which point to its being an
exceptionally fine specimen of late pointed work. The vaulting and some
other portions of the presbytery of Melrose Abbey are also classed by
Mr. Chalmers in the same category.
The subject is an interesting one, and all students of Scottish
architecture must feel indebted to Mr. Chalmers for drawing special
attention to it. We trust the point will be further investigated.
There is one consideration connected with this revival to which we would
draw attention, viz., that mentioned in the text (Vol. III. pp. 6 and 7)
that a certain excellence in the carving and the design of the smaller
features of the architecture observable in the later work may have been
due to the foreign artists introduced at the time. We might, in view of
the above circumstances, have given this remark a wider scope, so as to
apply to such works as those above referred to and similar examples.
There is abundant evidence in the Exchequer Rolls that French
master-masons were employed by James IV. and V. Thus the Merliouns,[1] a
distinguished family of French master-masons, were in the royal service
at Stirling in 1496, and members of the family are found at Linlithgow,
Dunbar, Ravenscraig, Perth Church, &c. Latterly the king’s _French
master-mason_ became a regular court appointment, and the office was
held by several Frenchmen.[2]
This importation of foreign artists may perhaps account for some of the
exceptionally good examples, especially in connection with places
favoured by royalty; but a good deal of time would necessarily elapse
before such work could become general. Hence the revival was limited,
while the architecture generally gradually deteriorated or changed to
Renaissance.
The monument of Bishop Kennedy, in St. Salvator’s, St. Andrews (a design
undoubtedly superior to the general Scottish work of the period), is
probably a French example, both in design and execution.[3]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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