Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy . i. <;. j. SENLIS. T. G. j. SENS ch. iv] THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD 69 tabernacles are so slight and open and detached that Seniisthey do not give the solid outline the eye desiderates ; andthe eight curious gabled spire-lights with their slopingbacks and upright fronts, like those that have disappearedfrom S. Denis, seem to bulge outwards by a well-knownoptical illusion and have a bad effect. The detail of thispart is lovely, but it does not condone these defects ofoutline : for in a steeple outline is everything. The cathedral of Sens has be
Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy . i. <;. j. SENLIS. T. G. j. SENS ch. iv] THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD 69 tabernacles are so slight and open and detached that Seniisthey do not give the solid outline the eye desiderates ; andthe eight curious gabled spire-lights with their slopingbacks and upright fronts, like those that have disappearedfrom S. Denis, seem to bulge outwards by a well-knownoptical illusion and have a bad effect. The detail of thispart is lovely, but it does not condone these defects ofoutline : for in a steeple outline is everything. The cathedral of Sens has been already referred to Sensin a preceding chapter. It was begun in 1143 andfinished in 1168, with the exception of the west end whichdates from the middle of the next century. The archesare pointed, the sexpartite vaulting regulates the alternatearrangements of clustered piers, and cylindrical columns,—doubled in this case,—and the vaulting shafts of the maintransverse and diagonal groups of ribs are carried downto the ground. The whole logic of Gothic constructio
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