Alberti, Leone Battista, Architecture, 1755

Table of figures

< >
< >
page |< < of 320 > >|
1you have three Rows of Columns, divide the
Space that is between the firſt Row and the
Roof into two Parts, and in that Diviſion end
the ſecond Cornice.
Between the firſt and ſe­
cond Cornices, let the Wall be preſerved en­
tire, and adorn it with ſome beautiful Sorts of
Stuc-work; but in the Wall between the ſe­
cond and the third Cornices, you muſt make
your Windows for lighting the whole Structure.
The Windows in Baſiliques muſt be ſet exactly
over the Intercolumnations, and anſwer regu­
larly to one another.
The Breadth of theſe
Windows muſt not be leſs than three Fourths
of the Intercolumnation, and their Height
may very conveniently be twice their Breadth.
Their Head-piece may be upon a Line with
the Top of the Columns, excluſive of the Ca­
pitals, if theſe Windows be made ſquare; but
if they are round, their Arch may come al­
moſt even with the Architrave, and ſo lower
as you think fit to diminiſh the Arch; but
they muſt never riſe above the Tops of the
Columns.
At the Bottom of the Window
muſt be a Plat-band for a Reſt or Leaning
Place, with a Cima-recta and an Ovolo.
The
Open of the Window muſt be grated, tho' not
paned with ſcantling Tale like thoſe of the
Temple; but ſtill they muſt have ſomething
to keep out Wind and Weather.
On the other
Hand, it is neceſſary to have a free Vent for
the Air, that the Duſt which is raiſed by the
Peoples Feet may not injure their Eyes and
Lungs; and therefore I think nothing does
better here, than thoſe fine Grates, either of
Braſs or Lead, with an infinite Number of
ſmall Holes diſpoſed in a regular Order, al­
moſt like a Picture, which admit both Light
and Air to refreſh the Spirits.
The Roof or Ceil­
ing will be extreamly handſome, if it is compoſ­
ed of different Pannels nicely jointed together,
with large Circles, in handſome Proportions,
mixed with other Compartments and Angles,
and if thoſe Pannels are ſeparated from each
other with flying Cornices, with all their due
Members, and with their Coffits adorned with
carved Work of Gems in Relief, intermixed
with beautiful Flowers, either of the Acanthus
or any other, the Pannels being enriched with
lively Colours, by the Hand of ſome ingeni­
ous Painter, which will add a ſingular Grace
to the whole Work. Pliny tells us of an ex­
traordinary Cement for laying Gold upon
Wood-work; which may be made as follows.
Mix together ſix Pounds of Sinoper, or Terra
Pontica, and ten Pounds of red Oker, mixed
with two Pounds of Terra Melina or White
Lead, which muſt be all ground together, and
the paſt kept full ten Days before it is uſed.
Maſtic ſteept in Linſeed Oil, and mixed with
Helbic Sinoper or Ruddle well burnt, makes
a Cement or Glue that will hardly ever come
off.
The Height of the Door of the Baſilique
muſt be anſwerable to that of the Iſles.
If
there be a Portico on the Outſide, by Way of
Veſtibule, it muſt be of the ſame Height and
Breadth as the Iſle within.
The Void Cham­
branle, and other Members of the Door muſt
be made after the ſame Rules at the Door of
the Temple; but in a Baſilique the Leaf
ſhould never be of the Braſs.
But you may
make it of Cypreſs, Cedar, or any other fine
Wood, and enrich it with Boſſes of Braſs, con­
triving the Whole rather for Strength than
Delicacy: Or if you would have it beautiful
or noble, do not embeliſh it with any minute
Ornaments in Imitation of Painting, but adorn
it with ſome Relieve, not too high raiſed,
that may make the Work look handſome, and
not to be too liable to be injured.
Some have
of late begun to build Baſiliques circular.
In
theſe the Height in the Middle muſt be equal
to the Breadth of the whole Structure; but
the Porticoes, Colonades, Doors and Windows
muſt be in the ſame Proportions as in the
ſquare Baſilique.
Of this Subject ſufficient has
been ſaid.
CHAP. XVI.
Of Monuments raiſed for preſerving the Memory of publick Actions and
Events.
I come now to ſpeak of Monuments erected
for preſerving the Memory of great Events;
and here by Way of Relief I ſhall take the
Liberty to unbend myſelf a little from that In­
tenſeneſs and Dryneſs which is neceſſary in
thoſe Parts of this Work which turn altogether
upon Numbers and Proportions: However,
I ſhall take Care not to be too prolix.
Our

Text layer

  • Dictionary
  • Places

Text normalization

  • Original
  • Regularized
  • Normalized

Search


  • Exact
  • All forms
  • Fulltext index
  • Morphological index