File:The seven lamps of architecture (1883) (14760752126).jpg

Identifier: sevenlampsofarchrusk (find matches)
Title: The seven lamps of architecture
Year: 1883 (1880s)
Authors: Ruskin, John, 1819-1900
Subjects: Architecture
Publisher: Sunnyside, Orpington, Kent, (Eng.) : G. Allen
Contributing Library: University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Digitizing Sponsor: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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dly two correspondent, and the architect having been ready,as it seems, to adopt ideas and resemblances from any sourceswhatsoever. The vegetation growing up the two columns is fine,through bizarre; the distorted pillars beside it suggest images ofless agreeable character; the serpentine arrangements founded onthe usual Byzantine double knot are generally graceful; but Iwas puzzled to account for the excessively ugly type of the pillar,fig. 3., one of a group of four. It so happened, fortunately forme, that there had been a fair in Ferrara; and, when I hadfinished my sketch of the pillar, I had to get out of the way ofsome merchants of miscellaneous wares, who were removing theirstall. It had been shaded by an awning supported by poles,which, in order that the covering might be raised or loweredaccording to the height of the sun, were composed of two separatepieces, fitted to each other by a rack, in which I beheld the pro-totype of my ugly pillar. It will not be thought, after what I
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THE LAMP OF LIFE. 169 have above said of the inexpedience of imitating anything butnatural form, that I advance this architects practice as altogetherexemplary ; yet the humility is instructive, which condescendedto such sources for motives of thought, the boldness, which coulddepart so far from all established types of form, and the life andfeeling, which out of an assemblage of such quaint and uncouthmaterials, could produce an harmonious piece of ecclesiasticalarchitecture. XXI. I have dwelt, however, perhaps, too long upon that formof vitality which is known almost as much by its errors as by itsatonements for them. We must briefly note the operation of it,which is always right, and always necessary, upon those lesserdetails, where it can neither be superseded by precedents, norrepressed by proprieties. I said, early in this essay, that hand-work might aphorism 25.always be known from machine-work; observing, how- ^,f te^rT , . 1 , •. •I.I r i hand-work. ever, at the same time

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