The critic in the Occident . tomb. A front photograph of the Taj gives a good ideaof its effect. Standing at the portal of the mainentrance one gets the superb effect of the marble path-way that borders the two canals in which the build-ing is mirrored. Midway across this pathway is abroad, raised marble platform, with a central foun-tain, from which the best view of the building maybe secured. The path on each side from this plat-form to the main stairway is bordered by a row ofcypress and back of these are great mango trees atleast twenty feet high. These should be removedand smaller trees s
The critic in the Occident . tomb. A front photograph of the Taj gives a good ideaof its effect. Standing at the portal of the mainentrance one gets the superb effect of the marble path-way that borders the two canals in which the build-ing is mirrored. Midway across this pathway is abroad, raised marble platform, with a central foun-tain, from which the best view of the building maybe secured. The path on each side from this plat-form to the main stairway is bordered by a row ofcypress and back of these are great mango trees atleast twenty feet high. These should be removedand smaller trees substituted, as they interfere seri-ously with a perfect view of the tomb. From this platform the eye rests on the Taj witha sense of perfect satisfaction that is given by noother building I have ever seen. The very simplic-ity of the design aids in this effect. It seems wellnigh impossible that a mere tomb of white marbleshould convey so vivid an impression of complete-ness and majesty, yet at the same time that every [»4]. a^ftPSflSLs! SB h«s3PH 50 a § § P* o £ jf c g ? — (TO ?< 3 ?a The Worlds Loveliest Building detail should suggest lightness and delicacy. Thelittle cupolas below the dome as well as the pinnaclesof the minarets add to this effect of airy grace. When one ascends the steps to the main door hebegins to perceive the secret of this effect on thesenses. Everything is planned for harmony and pro-portion. The pointed arch, of which all Moslemarchitects were enamored,is shown in the main door-way and in the principal windows of the front. Thisdoorway rises almost to the full height of the tomband on each side are recessed windows, with beauti-fully pointed tops. All the angles and spandrels of the building areinlaid with precious stones as well as with texts fromthe Koran. In the center of the building is an oc-tagonal chamber, twenty-four feet on each side,withvarious rooms around it devoted to the imperialtombs. A dome, fifty-eight
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidcriticinocci, bookyear1913
