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Belcher, John, d. 1913, ed. (ed.) / Later renaissance architecture in England; a series of examples of the domestic buildings erected subsequent to the Elizabethan period, ed., with introductory and descriptive text, by John Belcher, A.R.A., and Mervyn E. Macartney
(1901)
Descriptive and analytical notes, pp. [1]-64
Page 61
Wilton House, Wilts. 61 only look smaller, but also fail to present a sufficient contrast. Again, the wide intercolumniation of the sides of the portico seems ill-considered, and the abrupt way in which the architrave and frieze of the main cornice abut on the wall causes them to present the appearance of being stuck on. The side projection with attached columns, entablature, and attic storey is fine in itself, but does not look like an integral part of the building. In this side projection the second-floor windows are finished with brackets which project beyond the facia and architrave and carry no cornice-an arrangement which is neither happy nor necessary. The scroll keystones are weak and thin in section. That which has affected the appearance and scale of the house more than any other alteration is the introduction of plate glass in single sheets-a style of glazing for which the windows were not designed and are certainly ill-adapted. The chimney stacks are bold, and form important features in the composition, which was originally crowned by a central cupola. WILTON HOUSE, WILTS. PLATES LXXVII.-LXXX. A FTER the fire which destroyed a.large part of the old house in 1648, Inigo Jones was employed in the rebuilding of the south front, represented on Plate LXXVII. This forms a most dignified fajade on a grand scale, designed with great care and wonderful restraint. The outline and grouping are 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 FiG. 83.-PI AN OF THE ITALIAN GARDEN, WILTON.-J. BELCHER del of a character unusual in English work, and give evidence of the master's studies in Italy, where the Villa Medici, for instance, and the Barbarini Palace present similar features. Each part and detail has been well studied both independently and also in respect of the position it occupies in the design as a whole. Notably good is the central feature, with its concentrated ornament with shield and supporting figures, the whole group completed by the lead figure so full of grace and charm on the parapet. The central balcony is repeated on the wings, where the windows, with their sweeping side scrolls, have been models for many subsequent designs. The fine spacing of the windows should be observed, and R i! ......
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