The Poetry of Architecture by John Ruskin
page 59 of 194 (30%)
page 59 of 194 (30%)
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engraving of the Italian cottage (ยง 31), carved in stone, it is true,
but not the less to be reprobated. Fig. _p_, on the contrary, is adapted to its use, and has no affectation about it. It would be spoiled, however, if built in stone; because the marked bricks tell us the size of the whole at once, and prevent the eye from suspecting any intention to deceive it with a mockery of arches and columns, the imitation of which would be too perfect in stone; and therefore, even in this case, we have failed in discovering a chimney adapted to the higher class of edifices. 71. Fig. _d_ is a Netherland chimney, _e_ and _f_ German. Fig. _d_ belongs to an old Gothic building in Malines, and is a good example of the application of the same lines to the chimney which occur in other parts of the edifice, without bestowing any false elevation of character. It is roughly carved in stone, projecting at its base grotesquely from the roof, and covered at the top. The pointed arch, by which its character is given, prevents it from breaking in upon the lines of the rest of the building, and, therefore, in reality renders it less conspicuous than it would otherwise have been. We should never have noticed its existence, had we not been looking out for chimneys. 72. Fig. _e_ is also carved in stone, and where there is much variety of architecture, or where the buildings are grotesque, would be a good chimney, for the very simple reason, that it resembles nothing but a chimney, and its lines are graceful. Fig. _f_, though ugly in the abstract, might be used with effect in situations where perfect simplicity would be too conspicuous; but both _e_ and _f_ are evidently the awkward efforts of a tasteless nation, to produce something original: they have lost the chastity which we admired in _a_, without obtaining the grace and spirit of _l_ and _o_. In fact, they are |
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