|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[M.215L] [M.215] St Mark's Niches. 215
in this period of pure Gothic are to be placed the very
singular {wall} niches between the arches on the north side
which have cabled shafts leaning outwards against
the archivolts; bending round them; the niches themselves
curved outwards like a mitre, with a leaf ornament on
each side very pure & good - under these niches are
some of the vilest modern statues conceivable - used
as gutters for the roof - having nuns or waterspots on their
shoulders into which the leaden pipes are carried.
These distorted monstrosities seem to have been put
up in the 18th century. The great arches and their
first or under finials, are, judging by their leaf sculpture
without doubt of same period as the niches above and below.
But they have been originally without crockets, and have
had plain leaf finials. the extravagant crocketing -
wildly cut a jour in white marble, is awkwardly pinned
on afterwards - late 15th century of the worst kind, and
the original simple finial is surmounted by a pedestal
with bracket moulding - carrying a late and utterly
vile statue.
Four Evangelists. The house with these valuable windows is at the
Ponte del Forner. I think the windows have had narrow
central Priuli cusps, now cut away; their section is C3 with
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Version 0.05: May 2008]