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Title: Design and Tradition

Author: Amor Fenn

Release date: December 31, 2016 [eBook #53850]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024

Language: English

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Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DESIGN AND TRADITION ***

Contents.

Index.: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W.

List of Illustrations
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(etext transcriber's note)

DESIGN AND TRADITION

“They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty.”—Oscar Wilde.

Sketch Design for Equestrian Statue, by E. A. Rickards, F.R.I.B.A.

This drawing is remarkable as an anticipation of eventual appearance. Thoroughly impressionistic in treatment, all irrelevant detail is omitted.

UNIVERSAL ART SERIES
EDITED BY FREDERICK MARRIOTT

DESIGN AND
TRADITION

A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE
PRINCIPLES AND HISTORIC
DEVELOPMENT  OF  ARCHI-
TECTURE AND THE APPLIED
ARTS

BY
AMOR FENN

colophon

LONDON
CHAPMAN AND HALL, LTD.
1920

 

colophon
THE WESTMINSTER PRESS
HARROW ROAD
LONDON

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

IT may be urged with some reasonable basis of truth that much of the modern art work fails to attain the level of that of the past. It must be conceded, however, that demand and appreciation is more general and widely diffused. As social conditions have developed, interest in environment has been stimulated. Improved processes resulting in more economic production have rendered possible an indulgence by those of moderate means, attainable only at earlier periods by the wealthier class.

As a result of this more general appreciation the professional services of the artist are necessarily in greater request, thus affording a sphere of work not only lucrative but temperamentally attractive.

At the present time the facilities available to the prospective artist are considerably greater than at any previous period. In every district and important centre, there are schools specialising in the Arts and Crafts, giving opportunities for training at fees that are purely nominal. Most of these deal with the various phases of artistic expression on logical and sound lines, but the knowledge and experience essential to a successful artistic career is invariably acquired in professional work to which the art school training is preparatory.

To those specialising in design, the study of Historic Style is of paramount importance. Intelligent investigation will show that in all the varying phases, the underlying factors are much the same, and appreciation of these will be found invaluable in personal work.

Necessarily brief, this book has been prompted by the memory of early bewilderment and difficulties, when a guiding hand would have saved much valuable time and mis-directed energy.

A considerable amount of the available space is devoted to Architectural features, with the conviction that a knowledge of these will be found helpful in the formation of methods, logical and constructive.

Attention is directed to the frontispiece, a typical example of the extraordinary genius of E. A. Rickards, F.R.I.B.A., the original of which is in the possession of Philip Connard, A.R.A., to whom indebtedness for its use is acknowledged.

The author’s thanks are also due to Miss Dora Bard and Mr. C. E. Bernard for the reproduction of drawings made by them during their tenure in successive years of the “Travelling Studentship” of the Society of British Decorators.

For the use of the following photographs the author desires to make acknowledgment to the Authorities of the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, as holders of the Crown copyright:

Nos. 257.
258.
259.
265.
271.
     272.
273.
274.
275.
281A.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER   PAGE
I Introductory 1
Human Limitations, p. 1—Inspiration—Process and Material, p. 2—Early Training, p. 4—Art and Existence, p. 5—Natural Taste—Commercial Production, p. 6—“Ornaments,” p. 7—Modern Development—Public Apathy, p. 8—Elementary Pattern, p. 9—Early Impressionism—Personal Production, p. 10—Early Social Conditions, p. 11—Influence—Commercial Intercourse, p. 12—Effect on Design, p. 13—Ethical side of Art, p. 14—Desire for Novelty, p. 15.
II Historic Review16
Style, p. 16—Intercommunication—Climate and Material, p. 17—Phases in Style, p. 18—The Lintel, p. 19—The Arch, p. 20—Egyptian Art, p. 22—Chaldean Art, p. 25—Greek Art, p. 28—Roman Art, p. 35—Vaulting, p. 36—Greek Influence, p. 37—Roman Development of Ornament, p. 38—Græco-Roman Painted Decoration, p. 39—Byzantine Dome, p. 43—Early Christian Art, p. 46—Byzantine Metal Work, and Enamel, p. 47—Roman Influence Abroad—Romanesque Style, p. 49—Church Development, p. 50—Dark Ages, p. 53—Crusades, p. 56—Origin of the Pointed Arch, p. 58—Gothic Style, p. 59—Phases of Gothic—Early Pointed, p. 60—Decorated Gothic, p. 64—Perpendicular Gothic—Glass Windows, p. 67—Civic Influences, p. 70—Effect of Commerce—Classic Tradition in Italy, p. 71—Foreign Influence in England—The Dwelling House, p. 72—The Reformation, p. 74—The Renaissance, p. 75—Early Florentine Exponents, p. 76—Rome, p. 78—Venice, p. 80—Venetian Influence, p. 81—Painted Decoration, p. 82—Græco-Roman Influence, p. 83—Early French Renaissance, p. 85—Native Exploitation, p. 87—English Renaissance, p. 88—Italians in England, p. 89—Study of Classic Style—Thomas Thorpe, p. 91—Flemish Influence, p. 92—Jacobean Work, p. 93—Development in Dwellings, p. 98—Evolution of Professional Designer, p. 101—Inigo Jones, p. 102—Louis XIII, p. 103—Louis XIV, p. 106—“Boule” Work—Mirrors, p. 109—Louis XV, p. 110—Régence—Rococo, p. 111—Lacquer “Vernis Martin”—Later English Renaissance, p. 113—Sir Christopher Wren, p. 114—Classic Treatment of the Spire, p. 116—Dutch and French Influences, p. 118—Queen Anne Period—Early Georgian, p. 120—Furniture Design, Chippendale, p. 121—Mayhew—Robert Adam, p. 123—Hepplewhite, p. 126—Sheraton—Louis XVI, p. 127—Riesener and Gouthière, p. 133—Empire—Empire in England—Later English Architecture, p. 135—French Influence on Europe, p. 136.
III Mouldings138
Purpose—The Fillet—Sheltering Mouldings—The Cavetto, p. 139—Cyma Recta—Bracketing Mouldings—The Ovolo, p. 140—Cyma Reversa—Binding Mouldings, p. 141—The Torus—The Scotia—The Facia, p. 142—Decoration of Mouldings, p. 143—Orthodox Details—Angle Leaf, p. 145—Dentils, p. 146—Employment of Mouldings, p. 147—Attitude, p. 148—Panel Mouldings—Woodwork, p. 149—Applied Mouldings, p. 151—Bolection Moulding, p. 152—Mouldings in Plaster Work—Wood Turning, p. 153—Metal Turning—Pottery, p. 154—Mechanically produced Metal Mouldings—Wrought Iron, p. 155—Silver Work, p. 156—Sheet Metal, Spinning, and Repoussé, p. 157.
IV Architectural Proportions158
Introduction, p. 158—System of Proportion, p. 159—The Order, p. 160—Doric Order, p. 161—Ionic Order—Corinthian Order, p. 163—Doric Entablatures—Mutules, p. 164—Ionic Entablature, p. 169—Corinthian Entablature, p. 171—The Column, p. 172—The Capital—Doric Capital, p. 173—Ionic Capital—Ionic Volute, p. 175—Corinthian Capital, p. 178—The Base, p. 180—Doric Base, p. 181—Ionic Base, p. 182—Corinthian Base—The Arch, p. 184—Doric Impost, p. 185—Doric Archivolt—Ionic Impost, p. 186—Ionic Archivolt—Corinthian Impost—Corinthian Archivolt—The Keystone, p. 187—The Pedestal, p. 188—Doric Pedestal, p. 189—Ionic Pedestal—Corinthian Pedestal, p. 190—The Baluster, p. 191—Spacing of Balusters—Balustrading, p. 193—Use of Columns, p. 194—Disposition and Spacing in Colonnades, p. 195—Orders above Orders, p. 197—The Pilaster, p. 199—Arcades, p. 200—The Subsidiary Order, p. 202—Treatment of Superimposed Orders, p. 204—Rustication, p. 205—The Basement, p. 207—The Attic, p. 208—The Pediment, p. 209—Doors, p. 211—Windows, p. 213.
V Division of Surface216
Wall Treatment, p. 216—Ceilings, p. 218—Jacobean—Carolean and Georgian, p. 221—Adam Ceilings, p. 222—Vaults and Domes, p. 224—The Cove, p. 225—The Frieze, p. 226—Borders, p. 227—Geometric Elements—The Undulate Line, p. 230—Repetition and Alternation, p. 233—Treatment of Angles, p. 234—Pilaster Treatment—Panelled Pilasters, p. 235—Capitals and Bases—Treatment of Panels, p. 236—Juxtaposition, p. 238—The Growth Line in Composition, p. 241—Grouping and Massing of Detail—Division of Area, p. 242—Human and Animal Life in Composition, p. 244—Forms in the Round, p. 245 Supports and Balusters—Standards, p. 246—Proportion, p. 247—Vase Forms and Treatment, p. 248—Working Drawings, p. 249—The Segment or Stretch out, p. 250.
VI Development of Conventional Ornament254
Outline Drawing, p. 254—Undesirable Realism, p. 255—Craft Restrictions, p. 256—Materialistic Influence, p. 258—Early Renderings, p. 261—The Anthemion, p. 262—Greek Sculptured Ornament, p. 263—The Acanthus Leaf, p. 264—Roman Development—The Scroll, p. 266—Græco-Roman—Byzantine, p. 267—Romanesque—Gothic—Italian Renaissance, p. 268—The Husk Leaf, p. 269—The Rosette, p. 270—Tendrils, p. 271—Nature Influence—Inconsistent employment of Symbolic Elements, p. 272—Consistency in Growth—Branching, p. 273—Treatment and Employment of Leaves, p. 275—The start in Ornament, p. 276—Italian Renaissance Influence—Jacobean, p. 280—French Renaissance—Henry II, p. 281—Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Régence—Louis XV, p. 283—Rococo—Louis XVI, p. 284—Grinling Gibbons School of Carving—Adam Style, p. 285—Empire—System of the Acanthus Leaf, p. 286.
VII Treatment in Design288
Natural Attraction, p. 288—Decorative Materials, p. 289—Justification of Treatment, p. 290—Undesirable Imitation, p. 291—Technical Considerations—Methods of Expression, p. 292—Treatment of Leaves, p. 293—Surface Interest—Painted Decoration, p. 294—Stencilled Work, p. 295—Mechanical Production—Printed and Woven Fabrics—Needlework—Appliqué, p. 296—Lace-Wood Inlay—Intarsia, p. 297—Veneer—Marquetry—“Boule” Work, p. 298—Mosaic, p. 299—Byzantine use of Marble—Book Decoration, p. 300—Bindings—Relief Work—Economic Result of Method—Desirable Treatment in Carving, p. 301—Backgrounds, p. 303—Reproduction Processes—Metal Repoussé, p. 304—Cast Metal, p. 306—Character of Cast Work, p. 307.
VIII Mythology and Symbolism310
Early Symbolic Ornament, p. 310—Customs, p. 311—Origin of Mythology—Nature Myths, p. 312—Light and Darkness—Melanesian Legend, p. 313—Darkness as a Devouring Monster—Season Myths, p. 314—Sun Myths—Belief in Natural Phenomena, p. 315—Greek and Roman Deities, p. 316—Scandinavian Mythology, p. 317—Rising and Setting Symbolised, p. 318—Winds Personified—Predestination, p. 319—The Fates—Propitiation and Sacrifice, p. 320—Early Burial Customs—Taboo—Roman Lares, p. 322—Mediæval Legend—Early Spiritual Belief, p. 323—Prehistoric Treatment of Epileptics—Prohibition, p. 324—Belief in Magical Qualities, p. 325—The Shirt of Nessus—Swords, p. 326—Invulnerability, p. 327—Belief in Numbers—The Muses, p. 328—Sacred Trees and Flowers, p. 329—Sacred Animals—Evangelist Symbols, p. 331—The Serpent—The Dragon, p. 332—Poetic License in Tradition, p. 333—Animals in Christian Art, p. 334—Association of Human and Animal Qualities—Totemism—Cannibalism, p. 336—The Sphinx—Assyrian Winged Monsters, p. 337—Pegasus—The Harpy—Sirens, p. 338—Pan—The Nymphs—The Centaur, p. 339—Symbolism of the Circle, p. 340—Symbols of the Trinity—The Wand, a Symbol of Authority—The Hand, p. 341—The Caduceus—The Thyrsus, p. 342—The Trident—The Cross, p. 343—The Pastoral Staff, p. 344—Symbols of Martyrdom—Symbolism of Gems and Colours, p. 345—Masks—Symbols of Time, p. 346—Secular Symbols—Trophies, p. 347—Heraldry—Interest and Meaning in Modern Art, p. 348.
IX Ways and Means350
Perception, p. 350—Accepted Conventions, p. 351—Influence of Fashion—Harmonious Consistency, p. 352—Natural Suggestion—Colour Scheme, p. 353—Early Training—Nature Study, p. 355—Aspect and Attitude, p. 356—Treatment of Studies, p. 358—Drawings for Reproduction, p. 359—Opaque Colour—Method of Enlarging or Reducing Drawings, p. 360—Textile Designs, p. 361—Wall Papers, p. 362—Architectural Drawings—Structural Design, p. 363—Lucid Arrangement of Details, p. 364—Mathematical Equipment, p. 365—Use of the Ruling Pen—Proportional Compasses, p. 367—Tracings—Conclusion, p. 368.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Sketch Design for Equestrian Statue, by E. A. Rickards, F.R.I.B.A. Frontispiece
ARCHITECTURE, HISTORIC No. Page
Egyptian Temple, Section and Plan of1023
Temple, Entrance Façade1124
Capital from Philæ1224
Persian Capitals from Persepolis1627
Greek Doric Temple, The Parthenon2130
Ionic, The Erectheum2231
Corinthian, The Choragic Monument2332
Vase paintings of Doric and Ionic Orders1929
House about 100 A.D. Bas-relief in British Museum2029
Roman, The Pantheon, Rome2636
The Coliseum, Rome2737
The Arch of Titus, Rome2838
Byzantine St. Vitali Ravenna, Section and Plan3544
Capitals 36(Plate)
Interior, Ravenna39(Plate)
Romanesque Capitals4250
Tower4350
Plan, Cathedral at Worms4451
Bay of Cathedral at Worms4552
Window, St. Alban’s Abbey4652
Church Interior with Triforium4752
Doorway, Kilpeck Church4954
Gothic Buttresses5358
Early Pointed Pier5460
Early Pointed Bay of Church5561
Early Lancet Windows5662
Early Pointed Windows, Plate Tracery5762
Early Pointed Arch Mouldings5862
Early Pointed Capital5963
Early Pointed Tracery Windows6063
Early Pointed Spire6164
Decorated, Tracery Windows6264
Decorated, Carving6365
Decorated, Arch Mouldings6465
Decorated, Capital6566
Decorated, Capital6666
Decorated, Spire6766
Perpendicular, Bay of Church showing Development of Clerestory6767
Perpendicular, Windows6968
Perpendicular, Fan Vaulting7069
Perpendicular, Tower7169
Domestic Tudor, Window7574
Renaissance, Italian, Strozzi Palace7676
Italian, Pandolfini Palace7777
Italian, St. Peter’s, Rome7879
Italian, Farnese Palace7980
Italian, Vendramini Palace8081
Italian, Library of St. Mark8182
English, Banqueting House, Whitehall105103
French, Louis XIII. Luxembourg106104
French, Louis XIII. Barocco Detail, Ste. Marie, Nevers107105
French, Louis XIV. Louvre109106
French, Louis XV. Pantheon112110
English, St. Paul’s Cathedral118115
English, Spire, St. Mary le Strand119116
Tomb of Tantalus in Lydia519
Tomb of Beni Hassan1728
Tomb at Kyanea-Jaghu1828
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Arch, The Principle of the620
Balusters, Details of170192
Cornice, Treatment where Order is not employed180209
Doors, General Proportion of182211
Treatment of183212
Frieze, Roman198226
Frieze, Roman199227
Gothic Vault, Section of720
Vaulting921
Cross Vaulting4853
Lintel, The419
Lintel, The, Joggled Joints821
Orders, General Proportions of the154162
Order, The Doric153160
The Doric Entablature, Vignola155165
The Doric Entablature, Mutular156166
Order, The Doric Capital159173
The Doric Base165181
The Doric Pedestal169189
The Doric Archivolt168186
The Doric Impost168186
The Doric Arcading174201
The Doric Arcading with Pedestal175202
The Doric Column and Pilaster173200
The Ionic Entablature157168
The Ionic Capital160174
The Ionic Capital (Angular Volutes)161176
The Ionic, Detail of Angular Volute162177
The Ionic Base166182
The Ionic Pedestal169189
The Ionic Archivolt168186
The Ionic Impost168186
The Corinthian Entablature158170
The Corinthian Capital163179
The Corinthian Capital164180
The Corinthian Base167183
The Corinthian Pedestal169189
The Corinthian Archivolt168186
The Corinthian Impost168186
The Superimposed172198
The Subsidiary176203
The Subsidiary, Detail of Entablature180209
Pediment, The181210
Pilaster The, Capital209236
The, French Renaissance208236
Rustication, Types of178206
In Arcades179207
Spacing of Columns171196
Windows184214
Three-Light185215
DECORATIVE FEATURES
Acanthus Leaf, Brush Work235264
Development251281
Development252282
Construction of253287
Anthemion, Greek, Relief Treatment232262
Greek, Vase Painting231261
Border, The Geometric, Key or Labyrinth200228
Border, The Geometric, Interlacing201229
The Scroll204232
The Evolute Scroll207234
The Vertebrate244274
Branching, Types of243274
Inlay, Wood, Geometric260297
Wood Borders261297
Wood Panel262297
Wood Panel263298
Wood, Italian Intarsia264298
Metal “Boule” Work266299
Metal “Boule” Work267299
Inlaid Floor, Italian Renaissance188219
Lace259(Plate)
Marquetry265(Plate)
Mosaic Work, Spandril, Byzantine40(Plate)
Borders268(Plate)
Border, Roman269(Plate)
Border, Roman270(Plate)
Panel, Roman271(Plate)
Needlework257(Plate)
Appliqué258(Plate)
Relief Ornament, Prehistoric2(Plate)
Greek Stone Carving218(Plate)
Roman Stone Carving237(Plate)
Roman Stone Carving2939
Byzantine Stone Carving3746
Byzantine Stone Carving3847
Byzantine Stone Carving216244
Romanesque Stone Carving217244
Gothic Stone Carving238268
Gothic Stone Carving239269
Gothic Stone Carving219(Plate)
Renaissance, Italian248278
Renaissance, Italian249279
Renaissance, French8886
Renaissance, French250280
Renaissance, French9088
Jacobean Gouge Work276302
Jacobean Wood Carving277303
Jacobean Wood Carving9594
Louis XIV. Wood Carving275(Plate)
English Wood Carving274(Plate)
Relief Ornament, French Wood Carving113111
French Wood Carving279306
French Wood Carving212239
French Wood Carving211238
French, Part of Ceiling210237
French Wood Carving133134
Icelandic Wood Carving280306
English 18th Century273(Plate)
English, Modern213240
Analysis of Composing Lines214241
Rosettes, Types of241270
Scroll, The, Greek Stone Carving233262
The Evolute, Archaic229259
The Evolute, Savage Art230260
Scroll, The, Wrought Iron234263
Brush Work236265
As a Growth Line202230
Italian Renaissance240270
Start, The, Nest or Cup Leaf246277
Half Figure247277
Tendril, Roman242272
Terminals, Branch and Scroll245275
Textiles, 14th Century Woven Fabric313
14th Century Woven Fabric5156
Sicilian Tapestry5257
14th Century Tapestry205232
Turkish Brocade203231
French Brocade206233
Details of Inhabited Pattern256295
Tooled Book Binding272(Plate)
FURNITURE
Egyptian1325
Egyptian1426
Assyrian Seat1527
Greek2433
Roman Couch3039
Roman Sella or Seat3139
Romanesque Chair5055
Gothic Chair7270
Gothic Bedstead7371
Italian Renaissance8684
Italian Renaissance8785
Italian Renaissance9289
French Renaissance9188
English 17th Century9998
English 17th Century10099
English 17th Century101100
English 17th Century102100
English 17th Century. Baluster221246
French Louis XIII108105
French Louis XIV111108
French Louis XV265(Plate)
English late 17th Century116113
English late 17th Century117114
Dutch and Queen Anne Chairs121119
English 18th Century122122
French Louis XVI132133
INTERIOR FEATURES
Ceilings, Italian Renaissance187218
Italian, General Plan189220
Italian Renaissance, Painted,83(Plate)
Italian Renaissance, Painted,85(Plate)
Tudor190221
Jacobean191222
Jacobean192223
Carolean193224
Robert Adam194225
Chimney Pieces, Gothic 13th Century7471
Italian Renaissance9390
French Renaissance8987
Jacobean9695
Domes and Vaults, Italian Renaissance:
St. Peter’s, Rome197(Plate)
Villa Madama196(Plate)
Ducal Palace, Venice195(Plate)
Doors, Jacobean9796
Jacobean9897
French Renaissance278305
French Renaissance, Louis XV114112
English Renaissance120117
French Renaissance, Louis XVI130132
Frieze, The Jacobean, Carved Wood9493
French, Louis XVI131133
Interior Decoration, Græco-Roman3240
Interior Decoration, Wall Division186217
Italian Renaissance84(Plate)
French Renaissance, Louis XIV110107
English “Adam”123124
English “Adam”124125
French Louis XVI126128
French Louis XVI127129
French Louis XVI128130
French Louis XVI129131
METAL WORK
Græco-Roman3341
Græco-Roman3442
Byzantine Tradition4148
Wrought Iron282307
Wrought Iron, Venetian283307
Repoussé103101
Repoussé281(Plate)
Cast104102
Cast, Louis XV115113
Sheffield Plate125126
Filagree Jewellery228257
Cast Iron (Modern)222247
Surface Decoration of284308
METHOD
Of Enlarging and Reducing Drawings286361
MOULDINGS
Profiles of134138
Enrichment of135144
Detail of the Dentil136147
Aspect of137148
Stone, Panel Effect138149
Wood Panels139150
Wood Panels, Applied140151
Wood Panels, Applied141152
The Bolection142152
Table Top143153
Turned Wood144153
Pottery145154
Pottery146154
Rolled Metal147155
Drawn Metal148155
Wrought Iron, Swaged149156
Wrought Iron, Built up150156
Wrought Iron, Built up151156
Spun Metal152157
VASE FORMS
Primitive Pottery1(Plate)
Greek Pottery2534
Greek Pottery, Painted Details1929
Effect of Perspective220245
Segments of Contoured Surfaces226251
Segments of Contoured Surfaces227252
Stretch-out of the Cylinder224249
Stretch-out of the Cone225250
Types of Vase Decoration223248