Plate 98. Doorways and Windows

From the ancient structures there have not been preserved many examples of either doorways or windows of arch form which we could represent here as types. We find, however, many examples on the buildings of the fifteenth century. A diligent study of the classic work of the ancient time led in the renaissance period to the reconstruction of Roman architectural forms, which, in connection with the architecture in Italy, brought about new thoughts. Among the founders of this new school stands at the front Brunelleschi (1375-1444), the architect of the dome and choir of the cathedral at Florence. He is followed by his pupil, Michelozzi, who, about 1430, erected for Cosimo Medici the Palace Riccardi at Florence, one of the largest of those palaces typical of the strong architecture of Tuscany. Its doorway is of the finest example, and the windows have not been surpassed by the later masters.

On our plate is given both window and doorway in elevation. A flight of steps of pyramidal form leads from the street up to the door sill. The door leaves are of wood, with rosettes in the panels, and decorated with a great mass of metal nail heads. The plan under 1c gives a horizontal section through one of the doors at the rosette. At the same plan is also the profile of the architrave of the doorway. Over the arch is found a relieving arch of rusticated work which, towards the top, is somewhat pointed. This form appears as reminiscent of the earlier pointed arches. The pier at the end of the wall is, on our plate, in order to save space, represented smaller than is actually the case. The socle forms a continuous base along the front with a projecting step. Numerous palaces of Tuscany have this arrangement for the convenience of waiting servants. At the same time it gives a strong base to the superimposed building. Slightly above the floor level on the piers are projecting sockets in which, on festival occasions, could be supported torches. These ornaments are well executed in iron.

The second story arises over a dentil cornice which crowns the first story, and which at the same time forms the window sill of the second. Each window is filled with a column and two half-circle arches after the manner of the middle ages. In the spandrels are placed crests in medallions. The small arches were supported on both sides by pilasters. At 1a is a horizontal section taken at the springing of the arch, and at 1b is a profile of the bases of the small columns and pilasters. Over the windows are relieving arches similar to that of the doorway below. The second story is crowned with a console cornice, on which arise the windows of the third story arranged in a similar manner as those of the second. A mighty Corinthian cornice crowns the whole.

Under Fig. 2 is a window of the Palace Buini which is represented here on account of its ornamental trim, shown in detail under 2a. The division of the relieving arch and the wall is actually similar to that under Fig. 1, but we have at Fig. 2 shown the arch from the Palace Gondi, erected in 1490, as, on account of its original arrangement of blocks on the piers in the form of a cross, we thought it might be of interest.

The ornamental doorway at Fig. 3 belongs to a house in the via Parione at Rome. It is a combination of the Tuscan arch and the Bramante forms. Fig. 3a shows a profile of the trim and 3b a section of the cornice.