Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy . Fig- 37- > The present cathedral of Bourges was begun at theopening of the 13th century. The ground plan (Fig. 38),but for the absence of a transept, was like that of NotreDame, before they were both altered by the addition ofchapels. Both had a nave with sexpartite vaults anda double aisle carried round the apse. But the sectionat Bourges is quite different. Like S. Demetrius atSalonica, both aisles have a triforium open to the centralnave ; and not only that, but the inner aisle has alsoa clerestory of its own above its triforium, in ord
Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy . Fig- 37- > The present cathedral of Bourges was begun at theopening of the 13th century. The ground plan (Fig. 38),but for the absence of a transept, was like that of NotreDame, before they were both altered by the addition ofchapels. Both had a nave with sexpartite vaults anda double aisle carried round the apse. But the sectionat Bourges is quite different. Like S. Demetrius atSalonica, both aisles have a triforium open to the centralnave ; and not only that, but the inner aisle has alsoa clerestory of its own above its triforium, in order tocontrive which the outer aisle is kept very low, and the Plate XVIII. I. G. J. BOURGES CATHEDRAL—North Porch ch. v] EARLY FRENCH GOTHIC 105 Brantome and elsewhere, and also at Vendome in the Chartres i_ TM r 1 • t 1 11 cathedral north. 1 he apex 01 this pediment cuts through thecornice which finishes the octagon, from which risesthe spire proper, decorated with angle and intermediaterolls, and covered with scaling. The whole design ismajestic in the extreme, but it is a little indeterminate asto the division between tower and spire. In our Englishspires there is never this doubt, but here one may almostas well mark the division at the top of the octagon,where the true pyramid begins, as at the bottom of itwhere it breaks from the square without any very particularfeature to express the transition. This uncertainty ischaracteristic of many other French steeples. But what-ever we may think about this, the old steeple of Chartresis perfectly successful in its outline, whether seen directlyor obliquely; and is a magnificent object from everypoint of vie
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Keywords: ., bookauthorjacksont, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1915
