Mr. E. M. Barry On Architecture.

MR . E . M . BARRY ON ARCHITECTURE .

TI / TR . EDWARD M . BARRY , R . A ., in his second lecture , recently deliA'ered at the - " - * - Royal Academy , spoke of Italian Gothic as the precursor of the Renaissance , proposing to fOIIOAV up the subject hereafter by treating" of that important architectural moA'ement . It had been said that the Renaissance had brought us from true principles to false—from the palaces of inediawal Venice to the bathos of Harley Street . It Avas not fair , however , to charge against the Renaissance the architectural indifference of the Georgian Era . This Avas a local apathy onland in FranceAvhere the Renaissance

y , , had been more thoroughly adopted , architecture had neA er been abandoned , as it had been with us , to the bricklayer and the carpenter , such as those who built our cheerless London houses on another man ' s land , thinking more of speedy profit than of architecture . The classic revival arose naturally in Italy , Avhere Gothic art had never thoroughly taken root . The Southern architects worked on different lines from their brethren in Northern Europe . They admitted a spirit of horizontalismopposed to the verticalit

, y of mediawal architecture . Repose and breadth of effect had more charms for the Italians than the variety of parts and the vigorous effects of Northern Avork . The Duomo at Florence , the largest Gothic building in Italy , has the pointed arch , but in little else does it seem to us really Gothic . Arnalfo cli Lapo , its architect , had grand ideas and adopted large dimensions ; but the latter are not supplemented by adequate detailand the design consequently Avants scale . Contrasting it with Westminster

, Abbey , Ave find that in the nave of the former , 250 ft . long , there are onl y four arches , Avhile in the latter there are twelve arches in a length of 230 ft . The Avidth is , respectiA'ely , 125 ft . and 75 ft . In the case of the Abbey , from the artistic skill displayed , the building appears larger than it really is , while at Florence magnificent dimensions are so far throAATi aAvay that feAV can visit the interior Avithout disappointment . Simplicity of plan is observable at Florence , differing Avholly from the complex intricacy of

Westminster . The basihcan arrangement had remained a favourite in Ital y , and it has claims on the attention of modern architects . The reli gious services of the Middle Ages Avere to a great extent an act of faith . Long naves and aisles were needed for processions , and large choirs for the clergy . For us the necessities of Protestant worship impose different conditions , and the ancient basilicas may therefore furnish a lesson to those Avho are called upon to accommodate large congregations , in spacious

interiors , uninterrupted by columns , and where all can see and hear . The Italian Gothic churches Avere incomplete Avithout the aid of the sister arts . Painting , sculpture , marbles , enamels , and mosaics were all expected to form part of a completed design , for which the architecture of the building furnished the frameAvork only . Surface decoration , as employed in Italy * , Avas moreover opposed to the Gothic princi p le of decorated constructionbeing rather constructed decoration . Strongl-marked

hori-, y zontal bands and cornices , and the use of single shafts , were also reminiscences of classic times . The windows , small , few , and far betAveen , differ altogether from the floAving traceries of mediaeval work elseAA'here , while the absence of buttresses completes the contrast . Italian Gothic Avas , in fact , an incomplete style , a halting-place on the road to the Renaissance . It has lately attracted attention , and has found imitators in this country , particularly in relation to brick architecture , for AA'hich it offers some

advantages . The presumption is , however , against the adoption of the Southern peculiarities into Northern work . In borroAving , Ave shoidd take from the rich to give to the poor , and this can scarcely be said of Italian Gothic as compared with the purer types with Avhich Ave are familiar at home . Some have been led too far astray from English traditions , and for any fusion of details caution -and judgment are needed . The danger of being induced to substitute hasty cateliAvords for thoughtful decisions is ahvays great to the inexperienced , and extension of knowledge imposes increased responsibility . Students may well , indeed , rejoice at the opportunities they enjoy ,