The Nature of Gothic by John Ruskin

8/9/2019 The Nature of Gothic by John Ruskin

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THE NATURE OF GOTHIC by John Ruskin (From The Stones of Venie! Vo"# II$

%e &re no' &bout to enter uon the e)&min&tion of th&t shoo" of Veneti&n

&rhiteture 'hih forms &n interme*i&te ste bet'een the +y,&ntine &n* Gothi

forms- but 'hih I *i* fin* m&y be on.enient"y onsi*ere* in its onnetion 'ith the"&tter sty"e# In or*er th&t 'e m&y *isern the ten*eny of e&h ste of this h&n/e! it

'i"" be 'ise in the outset to en*e&.our to form some /ener&" i*e& of its fin&" resu"t#

%e kno' &"re&*y 'h&t the +y,&ntine &rhiteture is from 'hih the tr&nsition '&s

m&*e! but 'e ou/ht to kno' somethin/ of the Gothi &rhiteture into 'hih it "e*# I

sh&"" en*e&.our therefore to /i.e the re&*er in this h&ter &n i*e&! &t one bro&* &n*

*efinite! of the true n&ture of Gothi &rhiteture! roer"y so &""e*- not of th&t of

Venie on"y! but of uni.ers&" Gothi#

The rini&" *iffiu"ty in *oin/ this &rises from the f&t th&t e.ery bui"*in/ of theGothi erio* *iffers in some imort&nt reset from e.ery other- &n* m&ny in"u*e

fe&tures 'hih! if they ourre* in other bui"*in/s! 'ou"* not be onsi*ere* Gothi &t

&""- so th&t &"" 'e h&.e to re&son uon is mere"y! if I m&y be &""o'e* so to e)ress it! &

/re&ter or "ess *e/ree of Gothiness in e&h bui"*in/ 'e e)&mine# An* it is this

Gothiness the h&r&ter 'hih &or*in/ &s it is foun* more or "ess in & bui"*in/

m&kes it more or "ess Gothi00of 'hih I '&nt to *efine the n&ture- &n* I fee" the s&me

kin* of *iffiu"ty in *oin/ so 'hih 'ou"* be enountere* by &nyone 'ho un*ertook

to e)"&in for inst&ne! the Nature of Redness! 'ithout &ny &tu&""y re* thin/ to oint

to! but on"y or&n/e &n* ur"e thin/s# Suose he h&* on"y & iee of he&ther &n* &

*e&* o&k0"e&f to *o it 'ith# He mi/ht s&y 1the o"our 'hih is mi)e* 'ith the ye""o'

in this o&k0"e&f! &n* 'ith the b"ue in this he&ther! 'ou"* be re*! if you h&* it se&r&te-

but it 'ou"* be *iffiu"t! ne.erthe"ess! to m&ke the &bstr&tion erfet"y inte""i/ib"e-

&n* it is so in & f&r /re&test *e/ree to m&ke the &bstr&tion of the Gothi h&r&ter

inte""i/ib"e be&use th&t h&r&ter itse"f is m&*e u of m&ny min/"e* i*e&s &n* &n

onsist on"y in their union# Th&t is to s&y! ointe* &rhes *o not onstitute Gothi00nor

.&u"te* roofs00nor f"yin/ buttresses! nor /rotes2ue su"tures- but &"" or some of these

thin/s00&mi* m&ny other thin/s 'ith them00'hen they ome to/ether so &s to h&.e"ife#

Obser.e &"so th&t in the *efinition roose* I sh&"" on"y en*e&.or to &n&"y,e the i*e&

'hih I suose &"re&*y to e)ist in the re&*ers min*# %e &"" h&.e some notion! most of

us & .ery *etermine* one! of the me&nin/ of the term Gothi- but I kno' th&t m&ny

ersons h&.e this i*e& in their min*s 'ithout bein/ &b"e to *efine it3 th&t is to s&y



un*erst&n*in/ /ener&""y th&t %estminster Abbey is Gothi &n* St# 4&u"5s is not! th&t

Str&sbur/ C&the*r&" is Gothi! &n* St# 4eter5s is not! they &re ne.erthe"ess! no "e&r

notion of 'h&t It IS th&t they reo/ni,e In the one or miss in the other suh &s 'ou"*

en&b"e them to s&y ho' f&r the 'ork &t %estminster or Str&sbur/ is /oo* &n* ure of

its kin*- sti"" "ess to s&y of &ny non*esrit bui"*in/! "ike St# J&mes 4&"&e or %in*sor C&st"e ho' muh ri/ht Gothi e"ement there is in &n* ho' muh '&ntin/# An* I

be"ie.e this in2uiry to be & "e&s&nt &n* rofit&b"e one- &n* th&t there 'i"" be foun*

somethin/ more th&n usu&""y interestin/ in tr&in/ out this /rey sh&*o' m&ny0

inn&"e* im&/e of the Gothi sirit in us- &n* *isernin/ 'h&t fe""o'shi there is

bet'een it &n* our Northern he&rts# An* if! &t &ny oint of the in2uiry! I shou"*

interfere 'ith &ny of the re&*er5s re.ious"y forme* onetions! &n* use the term

Gothi in &ny sense 'hih he 'ou"* not 'i""in/"y &tt&h to it! I *o not &sk to &et!

but on"y to e)&mine &n* un*erst&n*! my interret&tion! &s neess&ry to the

inte""i/ibi"ity of 'h&t fo""o's in the rest of the 'ork#

%e h&.e- then! the Gothi h&r&ter submitte* to our &n&"ysis! 6ust &s the rou/h

miner&" is submitte* to th&t of the hemist! ent&n/"e* 'ith m&ny other forei/n

subst&nes! itse"f erh&s in no "&e ure! or e.er to be obt&ine* or seen in urity for

more th&n &n inst&nt- but ne.erthe"ess & thin/ of *efinite &n* se&r&te n&ture- ho'e.er

ine)tri&b"e or onfuse* in &e&r&ne# No' obser.e3 the hemist *efines his miner&"

by t'o se&r&te kin*s of h&r&ter- one e)tern&"! its ryst&""ine form! h&r*ness! "ustre!

et#! the other intern&"! the roortions &n* n&ture of its onstituent &toms# E)&t"y in

the s&me m&nner! 'e sh&"" fin* th&t Gothi &rhiteture h&s e)tern&" forms &n*

intern&" e"ements# Its e"ements &re ert&in ment&" ten*enies of the bui"*ers! "e/ib"y

e)resse* in it- &s f&nifu"ness! "o.e of .&riety ! "o.e of rihness! &n* suh others# Its

e)tern&" forms &re ointe* &rhes! .&u"te* roofs! et# An* un"ess both #the e"ements

&n* the forms &re there! 'e h&.e no ri/ht to &"" the sty"e Gothi# It is not enou/h th&t

it h&s the Form! if it h&.e not &"so the o'er &n* "ife# It is not enou/h th&t it h&s the

4o'er! if it h&.e not the form# %e must therefore in2uire into e&h of these h&r&terssuessi.e"y- &n* *etermine first! 'h&t is the 7ent&" E)ression! &n* seon*"y! 'h&t

the 7&teri&" Form of Gothi &rhiteture! roer"y so &""e*#



1st 7ent&" 4o'er or E)ression# %h&t h&r&ters! 'e h&.e to *iso.er! *i* the Gothi

bui"*ers "o.e! or instinti.e"y e)ress in their 'ork! &s *istin/uishe* from &"" other

bui"*ers 8 9et us /o b&k for & moment to our hemistry! &n* note th&t! in *efinin/ &

miner&" by its onstituent &rts! it is not one nor &nother of them! th&t &n m&ke u the

miner&"! but the union of &""3 for inst&ne! it is neither in h&ro&" nor in o)y/en! not in"ime! th&t there is the m&kin/ of h&"k! but in the ombin&tion of &"" three in ert&in

me&sures- they &re &"" foun* in .ery *ifferent thin/s from h&"k! &n* there is nothin/

"ike h&"k either in h&ro&" or o)y/en but they &re ne.erthe"ess neess&ry to its

e)istene#

So in the .&rious ment&" h&r&ters 'hih m&ke u the sou" of Gothi# It is not one nor

&nother th&t ro*ues it- but their union in ert&in me&sures# E&h one of them is

foun* in m&ny other &rhitetures besi*e Gothi- but Gothi C&nnot e)ist 'here they

&re not foun* or! &t "e&st! 'here their "&e is not in some '&y su"ie* . On"y there isthis /re&t *ifferene bet'een the omosition of the miner&" &n* of the &rhitetur&"

sty"e! th&t if 'e 'ith*r&' one of its e"ements from the stone! its form is utter"y

h&n/e* &n* its e)istene &s suh &n* suh & miner&" is *estroye*- but if 'e 'ith*r&'

one of its ment&" e"ements from the Gothi sty"e it is on"y & "itt"e "ess Gothi th&n it

'&s before! &n* the! union of t'o or three of its e"ements is enou/h &"re&*y to besto'

& ert&in Gothiness of h&r&ter! 'hih /&ins in intensity &s 'e"" &s the others! &n*

"oses &s 'e &/&in 'ith*r&' them#

I be"ie.e! then! th&t the h&r&teristi or of Gothi &re the fo""o'in/! "&e* in the

or*er of their imort&ne 3

:# S&.&/eness#

;# Ch&n/efu"ness#

<# N&tur&"ism#

=# Grotes2uenes#

># Ri/i*ity#

?# Re*un*&ne#



These h&r&ters &re here e)resse* &s be"on/in/ to the bui"*in/- &s be"on/in/ to the

bui"*er they 'ou"* be e)resse* thus 3:# S&.&/eness or Ru*eness# ;# 9o.e of Ch&n/e#

<# 9o.e of N&ture =# @isturbe* Im&/in&tion# >#Obstin&y# ?#Generosity# An* I ree&t

th&t the 'ith*r&'&" of &ny one! or &ny t'o 'i"" not &t one *estroy the Gothi

h&r&ter of & bui"*in/! but the remo.&" of & m&6ority of them 'i""# I sh&"" roee* toe)&mine them in their or*er#

S&.&/eness0I &m not sure 'hen the 'or* 1Gothi1 %&s first /eneri&""y &"ie* to the

&rhiteture of the North but I resume th&t! 'h&te.er the *&te of its ori/in&" us&/e! it

'&s inten*e* to im"y rero&h! &n* e)ress the b&rb&ri h&r&ter of the n&tions

&mon/ 'hom th&t &rhiteture &rose# It ne.er im"ie* th&t they 'ere "iter&""y of

Gothi "ine&/e! f&r "ess th&t their &rhiteture h&* been ori/in&""y in.ente* by the

Goths themse".es- but it *i* im"y th&t they &n* their bui"*in/s to/ether e)hibite* &

*e/ree of sternness &n* ru*eness! 'hih! in ontr&0*istintion to the h&r&ter of Southern &n* E&stern n&tions! &e&re* "ike & eretu&" ref"etion of the Contr&st

bet'een the Goth &n* the Rom&n in their first enounter# An* 'hen th&t f&""en

Rom&n! in the utmost imotene of his "u)ury ! &n* inso"ene of his /ui"t! be&me the

mo*e" for the imit&tion of i.i"i,e* Euroe! &t the "ose of the so0&""e* @&rk &/es! the

'or* Gothi be&me & term of unmiti/&te* ontemt! not unmi)e* 'ith &.ersion#

From th&t ontemt! by the e)ertion of the &nti2u&ries &n* &rhitets of this entury !

Gothi &rhiteture h&s been suffiient"y .in*i&te*- &n* erh&s some &mon/ us! in

Our &*mir&tion of the m&/nifient siene of its struture! &n* s&re*ness of its

e)ression! mi/ht *esire th&t the term of &nient rero&h shou"* be 'ith*r&'n! &n*

some other! of more &&rent honour&b"eness! &*ote* in its "&e# There is no

h&ne! &s there is no nee*! of suh & substitution# As f&r &s the eithet %&s use*

sornfu""y! it '&s use* f&"se"y- but there is no rero&h in the 'or*! ri/ht"y

un*erstoo*- on the ontr&ry! there is & rofoun* truth! 'hih the instint of m&nkin*

&"most unonsious"y reo/ni,es# It is true! /re&t"y &n* *ee"y true! th&t the

&rhiteture of the North is ru*e &n* 'i"*- 0but it is not true! th&t! for this re&son! %e

&re to on*emn it! or *esise# F&r other'ise3 I be"ie.e it is in this .ery h&r&ter th&t it

*eser.es our rofoun*est re.erene#

The h&rts of the 'or"* 'hih h&.e been *r&'n u by mo*ern siene h&.e thro'n

into & n&rro' s&e the e)ression of & .&st &mount of kno'"e*/e! but I h&.e ne.er

yet seen &ny one itori&" enou/h to en&b"e the set&tor to im&/ine the kin* of

ontr&st in hysi&" h&r&ter 'hih e)ists bet'een Northern &n* Southern ountries#



%e kno' the *ifferenes in *et&i"! but 'e h&.e not th&t bro&* /"&ne &n* /r&s 'hih

'ou"* en&b"e us to fee" them in their fu"ness# %e kno' th&t /enti&ns /ro' on the

A"s! &n* o"i.es on the Aennines - but 'e *o not enou/h onei.e for ourse".es th&t

.&rie/&te* mos&i of the 'or"*5s surf&e 'hih & bir* sees in its mi/r&tion! th&t

*ifferene bet'een the *istrit of the /enti&n &n* of the o"i.e 'hih the stork &n* thes'&""o' see f&r off! &s they "e&n uon the siroo 'in*# 9et us! for & moment! try to

r&ise ourse".es e.en &bo.e the "e.e" of their f"i/ht! &n* im&/ine the 7e*iterr&ne&n

"yin/ bene&th us "ike &n irre/u"&r "&ke! &n* &n its &nient romontories s"eein/ in the

sun3 here &n* there &n &n/ry sot of thun*er! & /rey st&in of storm! mo.in/ uon the

burnin/ fie"*- &n* here &n* there & fi)e* 're&th of 'hite .o"&no smoke! surroun*e*

by its ir"e of &shes- but for the most &rt & /re&t e&efu"ness of "i/ht! Syri& &n*

Greee! It&"y &n* S&in! "&i* "ike iees of & /o"*en &.ement into the se&0b"ue!

h&se*! &s 'e stoo ne&rer to them! 'ith bossy be&ten 'ork of mount&in h&ins! &n*

/"o'in/ soft"y 'ith terr&e* /&r*ens! &n* f"o'ers he&.y 'ith fr&nkinense! mi)e*

&mon/ m&sses of "&ure"! &n* or&n/e! &n* "umy &"m! th&t &b&te 'ith their /rey0/reen

sh&*o's the burnin/ of the m&rb"e roks! &n* of the "e*/es of orhyry s"oin/ un*er

"uent s&n*# Then "et us &ss f&rther to'&r*s the north! unti" 'e see the orient o"ours

h&n/e /r&*u&""y into & .&st be"t of r&iny /reen! 'here the &stures of S'it,er"&n*!

&n* o"&r .&""eys of Fr&ne! &n* *&rk forests of the @&nube &n* C&r&thi&ns streth

from the mouths of the 9oire to those of the Vo"/&! seen throu/h "efts in /rey s'ir"s

of r&in0"ou* &n* f"&ky .ei"s of the mist of the brooks! sre&*in/ "o' &"on/ the &sture

"&n*s3 &n* then! f&rther north sti""! to see the e&rth he&.e into mi/hty m&sses of "e&*enrok &n* he&thy moor! bor*erin/ 'ith & bro&* '&ste of /"oomy ur"e th&t be"t of

fie"* &n* 'oo*! &n* s"interin/ into irre/u"&r &n* /ris"y is"&n*s &mi*st the northern

se&s! be&ten by storm! &n* hi""e* by ie0 I *rift! &n* tormente* by furious u"ses of

onten*in/ ti*e! unti" I the roots of the "&st forests f&i" from &mon/ the hi"" r&.ines!

&n* the hun/er of the north 'in* bites their e&ks into b&rrenness- &n*! &t "&st! the

'&"" of ie! *ur&b"e "ike iron! sets! *e&th"ike! its 'hite teeth &/&inst us out of the o"&r

t'i"i/ht# An*! h&.in/ one tr&.erse* in thou/ht this /r&*&tion of the ,one* iris of the

e&rth in &"" its m&teri&" .&stness! "et us /o *o'n ne&rer to it! &n* '&th the &r&""e"

h&n/e in the be"t of &nim&" "ife - the mu"titu*es of s'ift &n* bri""i&nt re&tures th&t

/"&ne in the &ir &n* se&! or tre&* the s&n*s of the southern ,one- strie* ,ebr&s &n*

sotte* "eo&r*s! /"istenin/ serents! &n* bir*s &rr&ye* in ur"e &n* s&r"et# 9et us

ontr&st their *e"i&y &n* bri""i&ny of o"our &n* s'iftness of motion! 'ith the frost0

r&me* stren/th! &n* sh&//y o.erin/! &n* *usky "um&/e of the northern tribes-

ontr&st the Ar&bi&n horse 'ith the Shet"&n*! the ti/er &n* "eo&r* 'ith the 'o"f &n*



be&r! the &nte"oe 'ith the e"k! the bir* of &r&*ise 'ith the osrey3 &n* then!

submissi.e"y &kno'"e*/in/ the /re&t "&'s by 'hih the e&rth &n* &"" th&t it be&rs &re

ru"e* throu/hout their bein/! "et us not on*emn! but re6oie in the e)ression by m&n

of his o'n rest in the st&tues of the "&n*s th&t /&.e him birth# 9et us '&th him 'ith

re.erene &s he sets si*e by si*e the burnin/ /ems! &n* smoothes 'ith soft su"turethe 6&ser i""&rs! th&t &re to ref"et & e&se"ess sunshine! &n* rise into & "ou*"ess sky3

but not 'ith "ess re.erene "et us st&n* by him! 'hen! 'ith rou/h stren/th &n* hurrie*

stroke! he smites &n unouth &nim&tion out of the roks t 'hih he h&s torn from!

&mon/ the moss of the moor"&n*! &n* he&.es into the *&rkene* &ir of the i"e of iron

buttress &n* ru//e* '&""! instint 'ith & 'ork of &n im&/in&tion &s 'i"* &n* '&y'&r*

&s the northern se&- re&tions of un/&in:y sh&e &n* ri/i* "imb! but fu"" of 'o"fish

"ife- fiere &s the 'in*s th&t be&t! &n* h&n/efu" &s the "ou*s th&t sh&*e them#

There is! I ree&t! no *e/r&*&tion! no rero&h in this! but &"" *i/nity &n*honour&b"eness3 &n* 'e shou"* err /rie.ous"y in refusin/ either to reo/ni,e &s &n

essenti&" h&r&ter of the e)istin/ &rhiteture of the North! or to &*mit &s & *esir&b"e

h&r&ter in th&t 'hih it yet m&y be! this 'i"*ness of thou/ht! &n* rou/hness of 'ork-

this "ook of mount&in brotherhoo* bet'een the &the*r&" &n* the A"- this

m&/nifiene of stur*y o'er! ut forth on"y the more ener/eti&""y be&use the fine

#fin/er0touh '&s hi""e* &'&y by the frosty 'in*! &n* the eye *imme* by the moor0

mist! or b"in*e* by the h&i" - this out0 se&kin/ of the stron/ sirit of men 'ho m&y

not /&ther re*un*&nt fruit&/e from the e&rth! nor b&sk in *re&my beni/nity of

sunshine! but must bre&k the rok for bre&*! &n* "e&.e the forest for fire! &n* sho'!

e.en in 'h&t they *i* for their *e"i/ht- some of the h&r* h&bits of the &rm &n* he&rt

th&t /re' on them &s they s'un/ the &)e or resse* the "ou/h#

The seon* ment&" e"ement &bo.e n&me* '&s Ch&n/efu""ness! or V&riety #

I h&.e &"re&*y enfore* the &""o'in/ in*een*ent oer&tion to the inferior 'orkm&n!

sim"y &s & *uty to him! &n* &s ennob"in/ the &rhiteture by ren*erin/ it more

Christi&n# %e h&.e no' to onsi*er 'h&t re'&r* 'e obt&in for the erform&ne of this

*uty! n&me"y! the eretu&" .&riety of e.ery fe&ture of the bui"*in/#

%here.er the 'orkm&n is utter"y ens"&.e*! the &rts of the bui"*in/ must of ourse be

&bso"ute"y "ike e&h other- for the erfetion of his e)eution &n on"y be re&he* by



e)erisin/ him in *oin/ one thin/! &n* /i.in/ him nothin/ e"se to *o# The *e/ree in

'hih the 'orkm&n is *e/r&*e* m&y be thus kno'n &t & /"&ne! by obser.in/ 'hether

the se.er&" &rts of the bui"*in/ &re simi"&r or not- &n* if! &s in Greek 'ork! &"" the

&it&"s &re &"ike! &n* &"" the mou"*in/s un.&rie*! then the *e/r&*&tion is om"ete- if!

&s in E/yti&n or Nine.ite 'ork! thou/h the m&nner of e)eutin/ ert&in fi/ures is&"'&ys the s&me! the or*er of *esi/n is eretu&""y .&rie*! the *e/r&*&tion "ess tot&"-

if! &s in Gothi 'ork! there is eretu&" h&n/e both in *esi/n &n* e)eution! the

'orkm&n must h&.e been &"to/ether set free#

Ho' muh the beho"*er /&ins from the "iberty if the "&bourer m&y erh&s be

2uestione* in En/"&n*! 'here one of the stron/est instints in ne&r"y e.ery min* is

th&t "o.e of or*er 'hih m&kes us *esire th&t our house 'in*o's shou"* &ir "ike our

&rri&/e horses! &n* &""o's us to yie"* our f&ith unhesit&tin/"y to &rhitetur&" theories

'hih fi) & form for e.erythin/! &n* forbi* .&ri&tion from it# I 'ou"* not ime&h"o.e of or*er3 it is one of the most usefu" e"ements of the En/"ish min*- it he"s us in

our ommere &n* in &"" ure"y r&ti&" m&tters- &n* it is in m&ny &ses one of the

foun*&tion stones of mor&"ity# On"y *o not "et us suose th&t "o.e of or*er is "o.e of

&rt# It is true th&t or*er! in its hi/hest sense! is one of the neessities of &rt! 6ust &s time

is & neessity of musi- but "o.e of or*er h&s no more to *o 'ith our ri/ht en6oyment

of &rhiteture or &intin/! th&n "o.e of untu&"ity 'ith the &rei&tion of &n oer&#

E)eriene! I fe&r! te&hes us th&t &ur&te &n* metho*i&" h&bits in *&i"y "ife &re

se"*om h&r&teristi of those 'ho either 2uik"y erei.e or rih"y ossess! the

re&ti.e o'ers of &rt- there is! ho'e.er! nothin/ inonsistent bet'een the t'o

instints! &n* nothin/ to hin*er us from ret&inin/ our business h&bits! &n* yet fu""y

&""o'in/ &n* en6oyin/ the nob"est /ifts of In.ention# %e &"re&*y *o so! in e.ery other

br&nh of &rt e)et &rhiteture! &n* 'e on"y *o not so there be&use 'e h&.e been

t&u/ht th&t it 'ou"* be 'ron/# Our &rhitets /r&.e"y inform us th&t! &s there &re four

ru"es of &rithmeti! there &re fi.e or*ers of &rhiteture- 'e! in our sim"iity ! think

th&t this soun*s onsistent! &n* be"ie.e them# They inform us &"so th&t there is one

roer form for Corinthi&n &it&"s! &nother for @ori! &n* &nother for Ioni# %e!

onsi*erin/ th&t there is &"so & roer form for the "etters A! +! &n* C! think th&t this&"so soun*s onsistent! &n* &et the ro0 osition# Un*erst&n*in/! therefore! th&t

one form of the &it&"s is roer &n* no other! &n* h&.in/ & onsientious horror of &

imroriety 'e &""o' the &rhitet to ro.i*e us 'ith the s&i* &it&"s! of the roer

form! in suh &n* suh & 2u&ntity! &n* in &"" other oints to t&ke &re th&t the "e/&"



forms &re obser.e*- 'hih h&yin/ *one! 'e3# rest in fore* onfi*ene th&t 'e &re

'e"" house*#

+ut our hi/her instints &re not *eei.e*# %e t&ke no "e&sure in the bui"*in/ ro.i*e*

for us! resemb"in/ th&t 'hih 'e t&ke in & ne' book or & ne' iture# %e m&y be rou* of its si,e! om"&ent in its orretness! &n* h&y in its on.eniene# %e m&y

t&ke the s&me "e&sure in its symmetry &n* 'orkm&nshi &s in & 'e""0or*ere* room!

or & ski"fu" iee of m&nuf&ture# An* this 'e suose to be &"" the "e&sure th&t

&rhiteture '&s e.er inten*e* to /i.e us# The i*e& of re&*in/ & bui"*in/ &s 'e 'ou"*

re&* 7i"ton or @&nte! &n* /ettin/ the# s&me kin* of *e"i/ht out of the stones &s out of

the st&n,&s! ne.er enters our min* for & moment# An* for /oo* re&son- 00There is

in*ee* rhythm in the .erses! 2uite &s strit &s the symmetries or rhythm of the

&rhiteture! &n* & thous&n* times more be&utifu"5 but there is somethin/ e"se th&n

rhythm# The .erses 'ere neither m&*e to or*er! nor to m&th! &s the &it&"s 'ere- &n*'e h&.e therefore & kin* of "e&sure in them other th&n & sense of roriety #+ut it

re2uires & stron/ effort of ommon sense to sh&ke ourse".es 2uit of &"" th&t 'e h&.e

been t&u/ht for the "&st t'o enturies! &n* '&ke to# the eretion of & truth 6ust &s

sim"e &n* ert&in &s it is ne'3 th&t /re&t &rt! 'hether e)ressin/ itse"f in 'or*s!

o"ours! or stones! *oes not s&y the s&me thin/ o.er &n* o.er &/&in - th&t the merit of

&rhitetur&"! &s of e.ery other &rt! onsists in its s&yin/ ne' #* *ifferent thin/s- th&t to

ree&t itse"f is no more & h&r&teristi of /enius in m&rb"e th&n it is of /enius in rint-

&n* th&t 'e m&y 'ithout offen*in/ &ny "&'s of /oo* t&ste! re2uire of &n &rhitet! &s

'e *o of & no.e"ist! th&t he shou"* be not on"y orret! but entert&inin/# Bet &"" this is

true! &n* se"f0e.i*ent- on"y hi**en from us! &s m&ny other se"f0e.i*ent thin/s &re by

f&"se te&hin/# Nothin/ mi""ions of .&ri&tions in itse"f - for the roortions of &

ointe* &rh &re h&n/e&b"e to infinity ! 'hi"e & iru"&r &rh is &"'&ys the s&me# The

/roue* sh&ft '&s not mere"y & bo"* .&ri&tion from the sin/"e one! but it &*mitte* of

mi""ions of .&ri&tions in its /rouin/! &n* in the roortions resu"t&nt from its

/rouin/# The intro*ution of tr&ery '&s not on"y & st&rt"in/ h&n/e in the tre&tment

of 'in*o' "i/hts! but &*mitte* en*"ess h&n/es in the inter"&ement of the tr&ery b&rs

themse".es# So th&t! 'hi"e in &"" "i.in/ Christi&n &rhiteture the "o.e of .&riety e)ists!the Gothi shoo"s e)hibite* th&t "o.e in u"min&tin/ ener/y - &n* their inf"uene!

'here.er it e)ten*e* itse"f! m&y be sooner &n* f&rther tr&e* by this h&r&ter th&n by

&ny other- the ten*eny to the &*otion of Gothi tyes bein/ &"'&ys first sho'n by

/re&ter irre/u"&rity &n* riher .&ri&tion in the forms of the &rhiteture it is &bout to

suerse*e! "on/ before the &e&r&ne of the ointe* &rh or of &ny other reo/ni,&b"e



out'&r* si/n of the Gothi min*# The .&riety of the Gothi shoo"s is the more

he&"thy &n* be&utifu"! be&use in m&ny &ses it is entire"y unstu*ie*! &n* resu"ts! not

from mere "o.e of h&n/e! but from r&ti&" neessities# For in one oint of .ie'

Gothi is not on"y the best! but the on"y r&tion&" &rhiteture! &s bein/ th&t 'hih &n

fit itse"f most e&si"y to &"" ser.ies! .u"/&r or nob"e# Un*efine* in its s"oe of roof!hei/ht of sh&ft! bre&*th of &rh! or *isosition of /roun* "&n! it &n shrink into &

turret! e)&n* into & h&""! oi" into & st&ir&se! or srin/ into & sire! 'ith un*e/r&*e*

/r&e &n* une)h&uste* ener/y- &n* 'hene.er it fin*s o&sion for h&n/e in its form

or urose! it submits to it 'ithout the s"i/htest sense of "oss either to its unity or

m&6esty!0subt"e &n* f"e)ib"e "ike & fiery serent! but e.er &ttenti.e to the .oie of the

h&rmer# An* it is one of the hief .irtues of the Gothi bui"*ers! th&t they ne.er

suffere* i*e&s of outsi*e symmetries &n* onsistenies to interfere 'ith the re&" use

&n* .&"ue of 'h&t they *i*# If they '&nte* & 'in*o'! they oene* one- & room! they

&**e* one- & buttress! they bui"t one- utter"y re/&r*"ess of &ny est&b"ishe*

on.ention&"ities of e)tern&" &e&r&ne! kno'in/ (&s in*ee* it &"'&ys h&ene*$ th&t

suh *&rin/ interrutions of the form&" "&n 'ou"* r&ther /i.e &**ition&" interest to its

symmetry th&n in6ure it# So th&t! in the best times of Gothi! & use"ess 'in*o' 'ou"*

r&ther h&.e been oene* in &n une)ete* "&e for the s&ke of the surrise! th&n &

usefu" one forbi**en for the s&ke of symmetry E.ery suessi.e &rhitet! em"oye*

uon & /re&t 'ork! bui"t the iees he &**e* in his o'n '&y! utter"y re/&r*"ess of the

sty"e &*ote* by his re*eessors- &n* if t'o to'ers 'ere r&ise* in nomin&"

orreson*ene &t the si*es of & &the*r&" front! one '&s ne&r"y sure to be *ifferentfrom the other! &n* in e&h the sty"e &t the to to be *ifferent from the sty"e &t the

bottom#

The thir* onstituent e"ement of the Gothi min* '&s st&te* to be N&tur&"ism- th&t is

to s&y! the "o.e of n&tur&" ob6ets for their o'n s&ke! &n* the effort to reresent them

fr&nk"y! unonstr&ine* by &rtisti&" "&'s# This h&r&teristi of the sty"e &rt"y fo""o's

in neess&ry onnetion 'ith those n&me* &bo.e# For! so soon &s the 'ork0 m&n is "eft

free to reresent 'h&t sub6ets he hooses! he must "ook to the n&ture th&t is roun*

him for m&teri&"! &n* 'i"" en*e&.our to reresent it &s he sees it! 'ith more or "ess&ur&y &or*in/ to the ski"" he ossesses! &n* 'ith muh "&y of f&ny! but 'ith

sm&"" reset for "&'# There is! ho'e.er! & m&rke* *istintion bet'een the

im&/in&tions of the %estern &n* E&stern r&es! e.en 'hen both &re "eft free- the

%estern! or Gothi! *e"i/htin/ most in the reresent&tion of f&ts! &n* the E&stern

(Ar&bi&n! 4ersi&n! &n* Chinese$ in the h&rmony of o"ours &n* forms# The Gothi



bui"*ers 'ere of th&t entr&" "&ss 'hih unites f&t 'ith *esi/n- but the &rt of the

'ork 'hih '&s more esei&""y their o'n '&s the truthfu"ness# Their o'er of

&rtisti&" in.ention or &rr&n/ement '&s not /re&ter th&n th&t of Rom&nes2ue &n*

+y,&ntine 'orkmen3 by those 'orkmen they 'ere t&u/ht the rini"es! &n* from

them reei.e* their mo*e"s# is & /re&t 'ork of &rt! for the ro*ution of 'hih either ru"es or mo*e"s &n be /i.en# E)&t"y so f&r &s &rhiteture 'orks on# kno'n ru"es!

&n* from /i.en mo*e"s! it is not &n &rt! but & m&nuf&ture- &n* it is! of the t'o

roe*ures! r&ther "ess r&tion&" (be&use more e&sy$ to oy &it&"s or mou"*in/s

from 4hi*i&s! &n* &"" ourse".es &rhitets! th&n to oy he&*s &n* h&n*s from Titi&n

&n* &"" ourse".es &inters#

9et us then un*erst&n* &t one th&t h&n/e or .&riety is &s muh & neessity to the

hum&n he&rt &n* br&in in bui"*in/s &s in books- th&t there is no merit! thou/h there is

some o&sion&" use! in monotony- &n* th&t 'e must no more e)et to *eri.e either "e&sure or rofit from &n &rhiteture 'hose orn&ments &re of one &ttern! &n* 'hose

i""&rs &re of one roortion! th&n 'e shou"* out of & uni.erse in 'hih the "ou*s

'ere &"" of one sh&e! &n* the trees &"" of one si,e#

An* this 'e onfess! in *ee*s! thou/h not in 'or*s# A"" the "e&sure 'hih the eo"e

of the nineteenth entury t&ke in &rt! is in itures! su"ture! minor ob6ets of .irtue

or me*ie.&" &rhiteture! 'hih 'e en6oy un*er the term itures2ue3 no "e&sure is

t&ken &ny'here in mo*ern bui"*in/s! &n* 'e 3fin* &"" men of true fee"in/ *e"i/htin/ to

es&e out of mo*ern ities into n&tur&" senery3 here th&t eu"i&r "o.e of "&n*s&e

'hih is h&r&teristi of the &/e# It 'ou"* be 'e""! if! in &"" other m&tters! 'e 'ere &s

re&*y to ut u 'ith 'h&t 'e *is"ike! for the s&ke of om"i&ne 'ith est&b"ishe* "&'$

&s 'e &re in &rhiteture#

Ho' so *eb&se* & "&' e.er &me to be est&b"ishe*! 'e sh&"" see 'hen 'e ome to

*esribe the Ren&iss&ne shoo"s- here 'e h&.e on"y to note! &s & seon* most

essenti&" e"ement of0the Gothi sirit! th&t it broke throu/h th&t "&' 'here.er it foun*

it in e)istene- it not on"y *&re*! but *e"i/hte* in! the infrin/ement of e.ery ser.i"e

rini"e- &n* in.ente* & series of forms of 'hih the merit '&s! not mere"y th&t they

'ere ne'! but th&t they 'ere &&b"e of eretu&" no.e"ty# The ointe* &rh '&s not

mere"y & bo"* .&ri&tion from the roun*! but it &*mitte* of *esi/n- but to the

orn&ment&" fee"in/ &n* rih f&ny of the +y,&ntii:e the Gothi bui"*er &**e* & "o.e of

f&t 'hih is ne.er foun* in the South# +oth Greek &n* Rom&n use* on.ention&"

fo"i&/e in their orn&ment! &ssin/ into somethin/ th&t '&s not fo"i&/e &t &""! knottin/



itse"f into str&n/e u0"ike bu*s or "usters! &n* /ro'in/ out of "ife"ess ro*s inste&* of

stems- the Gothi su"tor reei.e* these tyes! &t first! &s thin/s th&t ou/ht to be! 6ust

&s 'e h&.e & seon* time reei.e* them- but he ou"* not rest in them# He s&' there

'&s no .er&ity in them! no kno'0 "e*/e! no .it&"ity# @o 'h&t he 'ou"*! he ou"* not

he" "ikin/ the true "e&.es better- &n* &utious"y! & "itt"e &t & time! he ut more of n&ture into his 'ork! unti" &t "&st it '&s &"" true! ret&inin/! ne.erthe"ess! e.ery .&"u&b"e

h&r&ter of the ori/in&" 'e""0 *isi"ine* &n* *esi/ne* &rr&n/ement#

Nor is it on"y in e)tern&" &n* .isib"e sub6et th&t the Gothi 'orkm&n 'rou/ht for

truth3 he is &s firm in his ren*erin/ of im&/in&ti.e &s of &tu&" truth- th&t is to s&y!

'hen &n i*e& 'ou"* h&.e been by & Rom&n! or +y,&ntine! symbo"i&""y reresente*!

the Gothi min* re&"i,es it to the utmost# For inst&ne! the ur/&tori&" fire is

reresente* in the mos&i of Tore""o (Rom&nes2ue$ &s & re* stre&m! "on/itu*in&""y

strie* "ike & rib&n*! *esen*in/ out of the throne of Christ! &n* /r&*u&""y e)ten*in/itse"f to en.e"o the 'ike*# %hen 'e &re one infor5tt:e* 'h&t this me&ns! it is

enou/h for its urose- but the Gothi in.entor *oes not "e&.e the si/n in nee* of

interret&tion# He m&kes the fire &s "ike re&" fire &s he &n - &n* &t the orh of St#

7&"ou &t Rouen the su"ture* f"&mes burst out of the H&*es /&te! &n* f"iker u! in

'rithin/ ton/ues of stone! throu/h the intersties of the nihes! &s if the hurh itse"f

'ere on fire# This is &n e)treme inst&ne! but it is &"" the more i""ustr&ti.e of the

*ifferene in temer &n* thou/ht bet'een the t'o shoo" of &rt! &n* of the intense

"o.e of .er&ity 'hih inf"uene* the Gothi *esi/n#

In the seon* "&e! Gothi 'ork! 'hen referre* to the &rr&n/ement of &"" &rt! &s

urist! n&tur&"ist! or sensu&"ist! is n&tur&"ist# This h&r&ter fo""o's neess&ri"y on its

e)treme "o.e of truth! re.&i"in/ o.er the sense of be&uty ! &n* &usin/ it to t&ke

*e"i/ht in ortr&iture of e.ery kin*! &n* to e)ress the .&rious h&r&ters of the hum&n

ounten&ne &n* form! &s it *i* the .&rieties of "e&.es &n* the ru//e*ness of br&hhes#

An* this ten*eny is both inre&se* &n* ennob"e* by the s&me Christi&n humi"ity

'hih 'e 0s&' e)resse* in the first h&r&ter of Gothi 'ork! its ru*eness# For &s

th&t resu"te* front & humi"ity 'hih onfesse* the imerfetion of the 'orkm&n! sothis n&tur&"ist ortr&iture is ren*ere* more f&ithfu" by the humi"ity 'hih onfesses the

imerfetion of the sub6et# The Greek su"tor ou"* neither be&r to onfess his o'n

feeb"eness! nor to te"" the f&u"ts of the forms th&t he ortr&ye*# +ut the Christi&n 'ork0

m&n! be"ie.in/ th&t &"" is fin&""y to 'ork to/ether for /oo*! free"y onfesses both! &n*

neither seeks to *is/uise his o'n rou/hness of 'ork! nor his sub6et5s rou/hness of



m&ke# Bet this fr&nkness bein/ 6oine*! for the most &rt! 'ith *eth of re"i/ious

fee"in/ in other *iretions! &n* esei&""y 'ith h&rity ! there is some0 times &

ten*eny to 4urism in the best Gothi su"ture- so th&t it fre2uent"y re&hes /re&t

*i/nity of form &n* ten*erness of e)ression! yet ne.er so &s to "ose the .er&ity of

ortr&iture 'here.er ortr&iture is ossib"e- not e)&"tin/ its kin/s into *emi0/o*s! nor its s&ints into &rh&n/e"s! but /i.in/ 'h&t kin/"iness &n* s&ntity '&s in them! to the

fu""! mi)e* 'ith *ue reor* of their f&u"ts- &n* this in the most &rt 'ith & /re&t

in*ifferene "ike th&t of Sriture history ! 'hih sets *o'n! 'ith unmo.e* &n*

une)usin/ reso"uteness! the .irtues &n* errors of &"" men of 'hom it se&ks! often

"e&.in/ the re&*er to form his o'n estim&te of them! 'ithout &n in*i&tion of the

6u*/ment of the histori&n# An* this .er&ity is &rrie* out by the Gothi su"tors in

the minuteness &n* /ener&"ity ! &s 'e"" &s the e2uity ! of their *e"ine&tion3 for they *o

not "imit their &rt to the ortr&iture of s&ints &n* kin/s! but intro*ue the most f&mi"i&r

senes &n* most sim"e sub6ets3 3fi""in/ u the b&k/roun*s of Sriture histories

'ith .i.i* &n* urious reresent&tions of the ommonest ini*ents of *&i"y "ife &n*

&.&i"in/ themse".es of e.ery o&sion in 'hih! either &s & symbo"! or &n e)"&n&tion

of & sene or time the thin/s f&mi"i&r to the eye of the 'orkm&n ou"* be intro*ue*

&n* m&*e of &ount# Hene Gothi su"ture &n* &intin/ &re not on"y fu"" of

.&"u&b"e ortr&iture of the /re&test men! but oious reor*s of &"" the *omesti

ustoms &n* inferior &rts of the &/es in 'hih it f"ourishes#

There is ho'e.er! one *iretion in 'hih the N&tur&"ism of the Gothi 'orkmen is

eu"i&r"y m&nifeste*- &n* this *iretion is e.en more h&r&teristi of the shoo" th&n

the N&tur&"ism itse"f- I me&n their eu"i&r fon*ness for the forms of .e/et&tion# To

the Gothi 'orkm&n the "i.in/ fo"i&/e be&me & sub6et of intense &ffetion &n* he

stru//"e* to ren*er &"" its h&r&ters 'ith &s muh &ur&y &s '&s om&tib"e 'ith

the "&'s of his *esi/n &n* the n&ture of his m&teri&" not unfre2uent"y temte* in his

enthusi&sm to tr&ns/ress the one &n* *is/uise the other# There is & eu"i&r

si/nifi&ne in this! in*i&ti.e both of hi/her i.i"i,&tion &n* /ent"er temer&ment!

th&n h&* before been m&nifeste* in &rhiteture# Ru*eness &n* the "o.e of h&n/e!

'hih 'e h&.e# insiste* uon &s the first e"ements of Gothi! &re &"so e"ementsommon to &"" he&"thy shoo"s# +ut here is & softer e"ement min/"e* 'ith them

eu"i&r to the Gothi itse"f# The ru*eness of i/nor&ne 'hih 'ou"* h&.e been

&infu""y e)ose* in the tre&tment of the hum&n form! is sti"" not so /re&t &s to re.ent

the suessfu" ren*erin/ of the '&ysi*e herb&/e- &n* the "o.e of h&n/e 'hih

beomes morbi* &n* fe.erish in fo""o'in/ the h&ste of the hunter &n* the r&/e of the



omb&t&nt! is &t one soothe* &n* s&tisfie* &s it '&thes the '&n*erin/ of the ten*ri"!

&n* the bu**in/ of the f"o'er# Nor is this &"" 3 the ne' *iretion of ment&" interest

m&rks &n infinite h&n/e in the me&ns &n* the h&bits of "ife# The n&tions 'hose hief

suort '&s in the h&se! 'hose hief interest '&s in the b&tt"e 'hose hief "e&sure

'&s in the b&n2uet 'ou"* t&ke sm&"" &re resetin/ the sh&es of "e&.es &n* f"o'ers-&n* notie "itt"e in the forms of the forest trees 'hih she"tere* them! e)et the si/ns

in*i&ti.e of the 'oo* 'hih 'ou"* m&ke the tou/hest "&ne! the "osest roof! or the

"e&rest fire# The &ffetion&te obser.&tion of the /r&e &n* out'&r* h&r&ter of

.e/et&tion is the sure si/n of & more tr&n2ui" &n* /ent"e e)istene! 00sust&ine* by the

/ifts! &n* /"&**ene* by the s"en*our! of the e&rth# In th&t &refu" *istintion of

seies! &n* rihness of *e"i&te &n* un*isturbe* or/&ni,&tion! 'hih h&r&teri,e the

Gothi *esi/n! there is the history of rur&" &n* thou/htfu" "ife inf"uene* by h&bitu&"

ten*erness! &n* *e.ote* to subt"e in2uiry - &n* e.ery *isrimin&tin/ &n* *e"i&te touh

of the hise"! &s it roun*s the et&" or /ui*es the br&nh! is & rohey of the

*e.e"oment of the entire bo*y of the n&tur&" sienes! be/innin/ 'ith th&t of

me*iine! of the reo.ery of "iter&ture! &n* the est&b"ishment of the most neess&ry

rini"es of *omesti 'is*om &n* n&tion&" e&e#

The fourth essenti&" e"ement of the Gothi min* '&s &bo.e st&te* to be the sense of

the Grotes2ue- but I sh&"" *efer the en*e&.our to *efine this most urious &n* subt"e

h&r&ter unti" 'e h&.e o&sion to e)&mine one of the *i.isions of the Ren&iss&ne

shoo"s! 'hih '&s morbi*"y inf"uene* by it# It is the "ess neess&ry to insist uon it

here! be&use e.ery re&*er f&mi"i&r 'ith Gothi &rhiteture must un*erst&n* 'h&t I

me&n! &n* 'i""! I be"ie.e! h&.e no hesit&tion in &*mittin/ th&t the ten*eny to *e"i/ht

in f&nt&sti &n* "u*irous! &s 'e"" &s in sub"ime! im&/es! is & uni.ers&" instint of the

Gothi im&/in&tion#

The fifth e"ement &bo.e n&me* '&s Ri/i*ity - &n* this h&r&ter I must en*e&.our

&refu""y to *efine! for neither the 'or* I h&.e use*! nor &ny other th&t I &n think of!

'i"" e)ress it &ur&te"y# For I me&n! not mere"y st&b"e! but &ti.e ri/i*ity - the

eu"i&r ener/y 'hih /i.es tension to mo.ement! &n* stiff# ness to resist&ne! 'hihm&kes the fierest "i/htnin/ forke* r&ther th&n ur.e*! &n* the stoutest o&k0br&nh

&n/u"&r r&ther th&n ben*in/! &n* is &s muh seen in the 2ui.erin/ of the "&ne &s in the

/"itterin/ of the ii"e#



(I me&n the En/"ishm&n! Frenhm&n! @&ne! or Germ&n$! if he 'ou"* "e&* & h&y

"ife &t &""! to fin* soures of h&iness in fou" 'e&ther &s 'e"" &s f&ir! &n* to re6oie in

the "e&f"ess &s 'e"" &s in the sh&*y forest# An* this 'e *o 'ith &"" our he&rts- fin*in/

erh&s ne&r"y &s muh ontentment by the Christm&s fire &s in the summer sunshine!

&n* /&inin/ he&"th &n* stren/th on the ie0fie"*s of 'inter! &s 'e"" &s &mon/! the

me&*o's of srin/# So th&t there is nothin/ &*.erse or &infu" to our fee"in/s in the

r&me* &n* stiffene* struture of .e/et&tion heke* by o"*- &n* inste&* of seekin/!

"ike the Southern su"tor! to e)ress on"y the softness of "e&f&/e nourishe* in &""

ten*erness &n* temte* into &"" "u)uri&ne by '&rm 'in*s &n* /"o'in/ r&ys! 'e fin*

"e&sure in *'e""in/ uon the r&bbe*! er.erse! &n* morose &nim&tion of "&nts th&th&.e kno'n "itt"e kin*ness from e&rth or he&.en! but! se&son &fter se&son! h&.e h&*

their best efforts &"sie* by frost! their bri/htest bu*s burie* un*er sno'! &n* their

/oo*"iest "imbs "oe* by temest#

There &re m&ny subt"e sym&thies &n* &ffetions 'hih 6oin to onfirm the Gothi

min* in this eu"i&r hoie of sub6et- &n* 'hen 'e &** to the inf"uene of these! the

neessities onse2uent uon the em"oyment of & rou/her m&teri&"! ome""in/ the

'orkm&n to seek for .i/our of effet! r&ther th&n refinement of te)ture or &ur&y of

form! 'e h&.e *iret &n* m&nifest &uses for muh of the *ifferene bet'een thenorthern &n* southern &st of onetion3 but there &re in*iret &uses ho"*in/ & f&r

more imort&nt "&e in the Gothi he&rt! thou/h "ess imme*i&te in their inf"uene on

*esi/n# Stren/th of 'i""! in*een*ene of h&r&ter! reso"uteness of urose!

im&tiene of un*ue ontro"! &n* th&t /ener&" ten*eny to set the in*i.i*u&" re&son

&/&inst &uthority ! &n* the in*i.i*u&" *ee* &/&inst *estiny! 'hih! in the Northern

tribes! h&s oose* itse"f throu/hout &"" &/es to the "&n/ui* submission! in the

Southern! of thou/ht to tr&*ition! &n* urose to f&t&"ity! &re &"" more or "ess tr&e&b"e

in the ri/i* "ines! .i/orous &n* .&rious m&sses! &n* *&rin/"y ro6etin/ &n*

in*een*ent struture of the Northern Gothi orn&ment3 'hi"e the oosite fee"in/s

&re in "ike m&nner "e/ib"e in the /r&efu" &n* soft"y /ui*e* '&.es &n* 're&the* b&n*s!

in 'hih Southern *eor&tion is onst&nt"y *isose*- in its ten*eny to "ose its

in*een*ene! &n* fuse itse"f into the surf&e of the m&sses uon 'hih it is tr&e*-

&n* in the e)ression seen so often! in the &rr&n/ement of those m&sses themse".es! of

&n &b&n*onment of their stren/th to &n ine.it&b"e neessity ! or & "ist"ess reose#



9&st! be&use the "e&st essenti&"! of the onstituent e"ements of this nob"e shoo"! '&s

"&e* th&t of Re*un*&ne- the un&"u"&tin/ besto'&" of the 'e&"th of its "&bour#

There is! in*ee*! muh Gothi! &n* th&t of the best erio*! in 'hih this e"ement is

h&r*"y tr&e&b"e! &n* 'hih *een*s for its effet &"most e)"usi.e"y on "o.e"iness of

sim"e *esi/n &n* /r&e of unin.o".e* roortion3 sti""! in the most h&r&teristi bui"*in/s! & ert&in ortion of their effet *een*s uon &umu"&tion of orn&ment -

&n* m&ny of those 'hih h&.e most inf"uene on the min*s of men! h&.e &tt&ine* it

by me&ns of this &ttribute &"one# An* &"thou/h! by &refu" stu*y of the shoo"! it is

ossib"e to &rri.e &t & on*ition of t&ste 'hih sh&"" be better ontente* by & fe'

erfet "ines th&n by & 'ho"e f&&*e o.ere* 'ith fret'ork! the bui"*in/ 'hih on"y

s&tisfies suh & t&ste is not to be onsi*ere* the best# For the .ery first re2uirement of

Gothi &rhiteture bein/! &s 'e s&' &bo.e! th&t it sh&"" both &*mit the &i*! &n* &e&"

to the &*mir&tion! of the ru*est &s 'e"" &s the most refine* min*s! the rihness of the

'ork is! &r&*o)i&" &s the st&tement m&y &e&r! & &rt of its humi"ity #No

&rhiteture is so h&u/hty &s th&t 'hih is sim"e- 'hih refuses to &**ress the eye!

e)et in & fe' "e&r &n* forefu" "ines- 'hih im"ies! in offerin/ so "itt"e to our

re/&r*s! th&t &"" it h&s offere* is erfet - &n* *is*&ins! either by the om"e)ity or the

&ttr&ti.eness of its fe&tures! to emb&rr&ss our in.esti/&tion! or betr&y us into *e"i/ht#

Th&t humi"ity ! 'hih is the .ery "ife of the Gothi shoo"! is sho'n not on"y in the

imerfetion! but in the &umu"&tion! of orn&ment# The inferior r&nk of the 'orkm&n

is often sho'n &s! muh in the rihness! &s the rou/hness! of his 'ork - &n* if the

ooer&tion of e.ery h&n*! &n* the sym&thy of e.ery he&rt! &re to be reei.e*! 'emust be ontent to &""o' the re*un*&ne 'hih *is/uises the f&i"ure of the feeb"e! &n*

'ins the re/&r* of the in&ttenti.e# There &re- ho'e.er! f&r nob"er interests min/"in/! in

the Gothi he&rt! 'ith the ru*e "o.e of *eor&ti.e &umu"&tion3 & m&/nifient

enthusi&sm! 'hih fee"s &s if it ne.er ou"* *o enou/h to re&h the fu"ness of its

i*e&" - &n unse"fishness of s&rifie! 'hih 'ou"* r&ther &st fruit"ess "&bour before the

&"t&r th&n st&n* i*"e in the m&rket- &n*! fin&""y! & rofoun* sym&thy 'ith the fu"ness

&n* 'e&"th of the m&teri&" uni.erse! risin/ out of th&t N&tur&"ism 'hose oer&tion 'e

h&.e &"re&*y en*e&.oure* to *efine# The su"tor 'ho sou/ht for his mo*e"s &mon/

the forest "e&.es! ou"* not but 2uik"y &n* *ee"y fee" th&t om"e)ity nee* not

in.o".e the "oss of /r&e! nor rihness th&t of reose- &n* e.ery hour 'hih he sent in

the stu*y of the minute &n* .&rious 'ork of N&ture! m&*e him fee" more forib"y the

b&rrenness of 'h&t '&s best in th&t of m&n3 nor is it to be 'on*ere* &t! th&t! seein/ her

erfet &n* e)2uisite re&tions oure* forth in & rofusion 'hih onetion ou"* not

/r&s nor &"u"&tion sum- he shou"* think th&t it i"" be&me him to be ni//&r*"y of his



o'n ru*e r&ftsm&n0 shi- &n* 'here he s&' throu/hout the uni.erse & f&u"t"ess

be&uty "&.ishe* on me&sure"ess s&es of broi*ere* fie"* &n* b"oomin/ mount&in! to

/ru*/e his oor &n* imerfet "&bour to the fe' stones th&t he h&* r&ise* one uon

&nother! for h&bit&tion or memori&"# The ye&rs of his "ife &sse* &'&y before his t&sk

'&s &om"ishe*- but /ener&tion suee*e* /ener&tion 'ith Un0 'e&rie* enthusi&sm!&n* the &the*r&" front '&s &t "&st "ost in the t&estry of its tr&eries! "ike & rok &mon/

the thikets &n* herb&/e of srin/#

%e h&.e no'! I be"ie.e! obt&ine* & .ie' &ro&hin/ to om"eteness of the .&rious

mor&" or im&/in&ti.e e"ements 'hih I omose* the inner sirit of Gothi

&rhiteture# %e h&.e! in I the seon* "&e! to *efine its out'&r* form# No'! &s the

Gothi sirit is m&*e u of se.er&" e"ements! some of 'hih m&y! in &rtiu"&r

e)&m"es! be '&ntin/! so the Gothi form is m&*e u of or on*itions of form! some

of 'hih m&y! in &rtiu"&r e)&m"es! be imerfet"y *e.e"oe*# %e &nnot s&y!therefore! th&t & bui"*in/ is either Gothi or not Gothi in form! &ny more th&n 'e &n

in sirit# %e &n on"y s&y th&t it is more or "ess Gothi! in roortion to the number of

Gothi forms 'hih it unites#

There h&.e been m&*e "&te"y m&ny subt"e &n* in/enious en*e&.ours to b&se the

*efinition of Gothi form entire"y uon the roof0.&u"tin/- en*e&.ours 'hih &re both

fore* &n* futi"e3 for m&ny of the best Gothi bui"*in/s in the 'or"* h&.e roofs of

timber! 'hih h&.e no more onnetion 'ith the m&in struture of the '&""s of the

e*ifie th&n & h&t h&s 'ith th&t of the he&* it rotets- &n* other Gothi bui"*in/s &re

mere"y en"osures of s&es! &s r&m&rts &n* '&""s! or en"osures of /&r*ens or

"oisters! &n* h&.e no roofs &t &""! in the sense in 'hih the 'or* 1roof1 is ommon"y

&ete*# +ut e.ery re&*er 'ho h&s e.er t&ken the s"i/htest interest in &rhiteture

must kno' th&t there is & /re&t ou"&r imression on this m&tter! 'hih m&int&ins

itse"f stiff"y in its o"* form! in site of &"" r&tioit:&tion &n* *efinition- n&me"y! th&t &

fi&t "inte" from i""&r to i""&r is Grei&n! & roun* &rh Norm&n or Rom&nes2ue! &n* &

ointe* &rh Gothi#

An* the o"* ou"&r notion! &s f&r &s it /oes! is erfet"y ri/ht! &n* &n ne.er be

bettere*# The most strikin/ out'&r* fe&ture in &"" Gothi &rhiteture is! th&t it is

omose* of ointe* &rhes! &s in Rom&nes2ue th&t it is in "ike m&nner omose* of

roun*- &n* this *istintion 'ou"* be 2uite &s "e&r! thou/h the roofs 'ere t&ken off

e.ery &the*r&" in Euroe# An* yet if 'e e)&mine &refu""y into the re&" fore &n*

me&nin/ of the term 1roof!1 'e sh&"" erh&s be &b"e to ret&in the o"* ou"&r i*e& in &



*efinition of Gothi &rhiteture 'hih sh&"" &"so e)ress 'h&te.er *een*ene th&t

&rhiteture h&s uon true forms of roofin/#

The re&*er 'i"" remember th&t roofs 'ere onsi*ere* &s /ener&""y *i.i*e* into t'o

&rts3 the roof roer! th&t is to s&y! the she""! .&u"t! or ei"in/! intern&""y .isib"e- &n*the roof m&sk! 'hih rotets this "o'er roof from the 'e&ther# In some bui"*in/s

these &rts &re unite* in one fr&me'ork- but! in most! they &re more or "ess

in*een*ent of e&h other! &n* in ne&r"y &:" Gothi bui"*in/s there is & onsi*er&b"e

inter.&" bet'een them#

No' it 'i"" often h&en! &s &bo.e notie*! th&t o'in/ to the n&ture of the &&rtments

re2uire*! or the m&teri&"s &t h&n*! the roof roer m&y be f"&t! o.ere*! or *ome*! in

bui"*in/s 'hih in their '&""s em"oy ointe* &rhes! &n* &re! in the str&i/htest sense

of the 'or*! Gothi in &"" other resets# Bet so f&r forth &s the roofin/ &"one isonerne*! they &re not Gothi un"ess the ointe* &rh be the rini&" form &*ote*

either in the stone .&u"tin/ or the timbers of the roof roer#

I sh&"" s&y then! in the first "&e! th&t Gothi &rhiteture is th&t 'hih uses! if

ossib"e! the ointe* &rh in the roof roer# This is the first ste in our *efinition#

Seon*"y! &"thou/h there m&y be m&ny &*.is&b"e or neess&ry forms for the "o'er

roof or ei"in/! there is! in o"* ountries e)ose* to r&in &n* sno'! on"y one &*.is&b"e

form of the roof0m&sk! &n* th&t is the /&b"e! for this &"one 'i"" thro' off both r&in &n*sno' from &"" &rts of its surf&e &s see*i"y &s ossib"e# Sno' &n "o*/e on the to of

& *ome! not on the ri*/e of & /&b"e# An* thus! &s f&r &s roofin/ is onerne*! the /&b"e

is & f&r more essenti&" fe&ture of Northern &rhiteture th&n the ointe* .&u"t! for the

one is & thorou/h neessity ! the other often & /r&efu" on.ention&"ity - the /&b"e

ours in the timber roof of e.ery *'e""in/0house &n* e.ery ott&/e! but not the .&u"t-

&n* the /&b"e bui"t on & o"y/on&" or iru"&r "&n! is the ori/in of the turret &n* sire-

&n* &"" the so0&""e* &sir&tion of Gothi &rhiteture is nothin/ more th&n its

*e.e"oment# So th&t 'e must &** to our *efinition &nther "&use! 'hih 'i"" be! &t

resent! by f&r the most imort&nt! &n* it 'i"" st&n* thus3 Gothi &rhiteture is th&t

'hih uses the ointe* &rh for the roof roer! &n* the /&b"e for the roof0m&sk#

The re&*er 'i"" &"so remember th&t I &refu""y e)ten*e* my *efinition of & roof so &s

to in"u*e more th&n is usu&""y un*erstoo* by the term# It '&s there s&i* to be the

o.erin/ of & s&e! n&rro' or 'i*e# It *oes not in the "e&st si/nify! 'ith reset to the



re&" n&ture of the o.erin/! 'hether the s&e rotete* be t'o feet 'i*e! or ten-

thou/h in the one &se 'e &"" the rotetion &n &rh! in the other & .&u"t or roof# +ut

the re&" oint to be onsi*ere* is! the m&nner in 'hih this rotetion st&n*s! &n* not

'hether it is n&rro' or bro&*# %e &"" the .&u"tin/ of & bri*/e 1&n &rh!1 be&use it is

n&rro' 'ith reset to the ri.er it rosses- but if it 'ere bui"t &bo.e us on the /roun*!'e shou"* &"" it & '&//on .&u"t! be&use then 'e shou"* fee" the bre&*th of it# The

re&" 2uestion is the n&ture of the ur.e! not the e)tent of s&e o.er 'hih it is &rrie*3

&n* this is more the &se 'ith reset to Gothi th&n to &ny other &rhiteture - for! in

the /re&ter number of inst&nes! the form of the roof is entire"y *een*ent on the ribs-

the *omi&" she""s bein/ onstrute* in &"" kin*s of in"in&tions! 2uite in*etermin&b"e

by the eye! &n* &"" th&t is *efinite in their h&r&ter bein/ fi)e* by the ur.es of the

ribs#

9et us then onsi*er our *efinition &s in"u*in/ the n&rro'est &rh or tr&ery b&r1 &s'e"" &s the bro&*est roof! &n* it 'i"" be ne&r"y & erfet one# For the f&t is! th&t &""

/oo* Gothi is nothin/ more th&n the !*e.e"oment! in .&rious '&ys! &n* on e.ery

onei.&b"e s&"e! of the /rou forme* by the ointe* &rh for the be&rin/ "ine be"o'!

&n* the /&b"e for the rotetin/ "ine &bo.e - &n* from the hu/e! /rey! sh&"y s"oe of

the &the*r&" &n* 'ith its e"&sti ointe* .&u"ts bene&th! to the s"i/ht ro'n0"ine oints

th&t enrih the sm&""est nihe of its *oor'&y! one !"&' &n* one e)ression 'i"" be

foun* in &""# The mo*es of suort &n* of *eor&tion &re infinite"y .&rious! but the re&"

h&r&ter of the bui"*in/! in &"" /oo* Gothi! *een*s uon the sin/"e "ines of the

/&b"e o.er the ointe* &rh! Fi/# DVII! en*"ess"y re&rr&n/e* or ree&te*#

9et us try 'hether 'e &nnot /et the forms of the other /re&t &rhitetures of the

'or"* bro&*"y e)resse* by re"&tions of the s&me "ines into 'hih 'e h&.e

omresse* the Gothi# %e m&y e&si"y *o this if the re&*er 'i"" first &""o' me to

remin* him of the true n&ture of the Aointe* &rh# It '&s s&i* th&t it ou/ht to be

&""e* & 1ur.e* /&b"e!1 or! strit"y se&kin/! &n 1&rh1 &nnot be 1ointe*#1 The so0

&""e* ointe* &rh ou/ht &"'&ys to be onsi*ere* &s & 4IG# DVII /&b"e! 'ith its si*es

ur.e* in or*er to en&b"e them to be&r ressure from 'ithout# Thus onsi*erin/ it!there &re but three '&ys in 'hih &n inter.&" bet'een iers &n be bri*/e*!00the three

'&ys reresente* by A! +! &n* C! Fi/# DVIII! the ne)t &/e! A! the "inte"- +! the roun*

&rh- C! the /&b"e# A"" the &rhitets in the 'or"* 'i"" ne.er *iso.er &ny other '&ys

of bri*/in/ & s&e th&n these three- they m&y .&ry the ur.e of the &rh! or ur.e the



si*es of the /&b"e or bre&k them- but in *oin/ this they &re mere"y mo*ifyin/ or

sub*i.i*in/ not &**in/ to the /eneri forms#

No' there &re three /oo* &rhitetures in the 'or"*! &n* there ne.er &n be more!

orreson*ent to e&h of these three sim"e '&ys of o.erin/ in & s&e! 'hih is theori/in&" funtion of &"" &rhitetures# An* those three &rhitetures &re ure e)&t"y in

roortion to the sim"iity &n* *iretness 'ith 'hih they e)ress the on*ition of

roofin/ on 'hih they &re foun*e*# #33 They h&.e m&ny interestin/ .&rieties! &or*in/

to their s&"e! m&nner of *eor&tion! &n* h&r&ter of the n&tions by 'hom they &re

r&tise*! but &"" their .&rieties &re fin&""y refer&b"e to the three /re&t he&*s0

A# Greek3 Arhiteture of the 9inte"#

+ Rom&nes2ue 3 Arhiteture of the Roun* Arh# C# Gothi3 Arhiteture of theG&b"e#

#

%e h&.e no'! I be"ie.e! obt&ine* & suffiient"y &ur&te kno'"e*/e both of the sirit

&n*# form of Gothi &rhiteture - but it m&y! erh&s! be usefu" to the /ener&" re&*er!

if! in on"usion! I set *o'n & fe' "&in &n* r&ti&" ru"es for *eterminin/! in e.ery

inst&ne! 'hether & /i.en bui"*in/ be /oo* Gothi or not! &n*! if not Gothi! 'hether

its &rhiteture is of & kin* 'hih 'i"" rob&b"y re'&r* the &ins of &refu"e)&min&tion#

First! "ook if the roof rises in & stee /&b"e! hi/h &bo.e the '&""s# If it *oes not *o this!

there is somethin/ 'ron/3 the bui"*in/ is not 2uite ure Gothi! or h&s been &"tere*#

Seon*"y! "ook if the rini&" 'in*o's &n* *oors h&.e ointe* &rhes 'ith /&b"es

o.er them# If not ointe* &rhes! the bui"*in/ is not Gothi- if they h&.e not &ny

/&b"es o.er them! it is either not ure or not first0r&te# If! ho'e.er! it h&s the stee

roof! the ointe* &rh! &n* /&b"e &n unite*! it is ne&r"y ert&in to be & Gothi bui"*in/of & .ery fine time# Thir*"y "ook if the &rhes &re use*! or &ertures fo"i&te*# If the

bui"*in/ h&s met the 3first t'o on*itions! it is sure to be fo"i&te* some'here- but if

not e.ery'here! the &rts &re unfo"i&te* &re imerfet un"ess they &re "&r/e be&rin/

&rhes! or sm&"" &n* sh&r &rhes in /rous! formin/ & kin* of fo"i&tion by their o'n

mu"ti"iity ! &n* re"ie.e* by su"ture &n* rih mou"*in/s# The uer 'in*o's! for



inst&ne! in the e&st en* of %estminster Abbey &re imerfet for '&nt of fo"i&tion# If

there be no fo"i&tion &ny'here the bui"*in/ is &ssure*"y imerfet Gothi#

Fourth"y! if the bui"*in/ meets &"" the 3first three on*itions "ook if its &rhes in

/ener&" 'hether of 'in*o's &n* *oors! or of minor orn&ment&tion &re &rrie* on truesh&fts 'ith b&ses &n* &4it&"s# If they &re! then the bui"*in/ is &ssure*"y of the 3finest

Gothi sty"e# It m&y sti""! erh&s be &n imit&tion & feeb"e oy! or & b&* e)&m"e! of &

nob"e sty"e- but the m&nner of it! h&.in/ met &"" these four on*itions! is &ssure*"y

first0r&te#

This is &"" th&t is neess&ry to *etermine 'hether the bui"*in/ be of fine Gothi sty"e#

The ne)t tests to be &"ie* &re in or*er to *iso.er 'hether it be /oo* &rhiteture or

not- for it m&y be .ery imure Gothi! &n* yet .ery nob"e &rhiteture- or it m&y be

.ery ure Gothi! &n* yet if & oy- or ori/in&""y r&ise* by &n un/ifte* bui"*er! .ery b&* &rhiteture# If it be"on/ to &ny of the /re&t shoo"s of o"our! its ritiism 00

beomes &s om"i&te*! &n* nee*s &s muh &re! &s th&t of & iee of musi! &n* no

/ener&" ru"es for it &n be /i.en- but first! see if it "ooks &s if it h&* been bui"t by

stron/ men - &s the sort of rou/hness! &n* "&r/eness! &n* nonh&"&nt! mi)e* in "&es

'ith the e)2uisite ten*erness 'hih seems &"'&ys to be the si/n0m&nu&" of the bro&*

.ision! &n* m&ssy o'er of men 'ho &n see &st the 'ork they &re *oin/! &n* betr&y

here &n* there somethin/ "ike *is*&in for it# If the bui"*in/ h&s this h&r&ter! it is

muh &"re&*y in its f&.our - it 'i"" /o h&r* but it ro.es & nob"e one# If it h&s not this!

but is &"to/ether &ur&te! minute! &n* sruu"ous in its 'orkm&nshi! it must be"on/

to either the .ery best or the .ery 'orst of shoo"s3 the .ery best! in 'hih e)2uisite

*esi/n if 'rou/ht out 'ith untirin/ &n* onsientious &re! &s in the Giottes2ue

Gothi- or the .ery # 'orst! in 'hih meh&nism h&s t&ken the "&e of *esi/n# It is

more "ike"y! in /ener&"! th&t it shou"* be"on/ to the 'orst th&n the best3 so th&t! on the

'ho"e! .ery &ur&te 'orkm&nshi is to be esteeme* & b&* si/n- &n* if there is

nothin/ rem&rk&b"e &bout the bui"*in/ but its reision! it m&y be &sse* &t one 'ith

ontemt#

Seon*"y! obser.e if it be irre/u"&r! its *ifferent &rts fittin/ themse".es to *ifferent

uroses! no one &rin/ 'h&t beomes of them! so th&t they *o their 'ork# If one &rt

&"'&ys &ns'ers &ur&te"y to &nother &rt! it is sure to be & b&* bui"*in/# - &n* the

/re&ter &n* more onsiuous the irre/u"&rities! the5 /re&ter the h&nes &re th&t it is &

/oo* one# For inst&ne! in the @u&" 4&"&e! of 'hih & rou/h *r&'in/ is /i.en on

4"&te IV ! f&in/ &/e :<! the /ener&" i*e& is stern"y symmetri&" - but t'o 'in*o's



&re "o'er th&n the rest of the si)- &n* if the re&*er 'i"" ount the &rhes of the sm&""

&r&*e &s f&r &s to the /re&t b&"ony! he 'i"" 3fin* it is not in the entre but set to the

ri/ht0 h&n* si*e by the 'ho"e 'i*th of one of those &rhes# %e m&y be retty sure th&t

the bui"*in/ is & /oo* one- none but & m&ster of his r&ft 'ou"* h&.e .enture* to *o

this#

Thir*"y! obser.e if &"" the tr&eries! &it&"s! &n* other orn&ments &re of eretu&""y

.&rie* *esi/n# If not! the 'ork is &ssure*"y b&*#

9&st"y! Re&* the su"ture# 4re&r&tory to re&*in/ it! you 'i"" h&.e to *iso.er

'hether it is "e/ib"e ( &n*! if "e/ib"e! it is ne&r"y ert&in to be 'orth re&*in/$# On &

/oo* bui"*in/! the su"ture is &"'&ys so set! &n* on suh & s&"e th&t &t the or*in&ry

*ist&ne from 'hih the e*ifie is seen! the su"ture sh&"" be thorou/h"y inte""i/ib"e

&n* interestin/# In or*er to &om"ish this! t=e uermost st&tues 'i"" be ten or t'e".e feet hi/h! &n* the uer orn&ment&tion 'i"" be o"oss&"! inre&sin/ in 3fineness

&s it *esen*s! ti"" on the foun*&tion it 'i"" often be 'rou/ht &s if for & reious

&binet in & kin/5s h&mber- but the set&tor 'i"" not notie th&t the uer su"tures

&re o"oss&"# He 'i"" mere"y fee" th&t he &n see them "&in"y! &n* m&ke them &"" out &t

his e&se#

An* h&.in/ &sert&ine* this! "et him set himse"f to re&* them# Thenefor'&r* the

ritiism of the bui"*in/ is to be on*ute* reise"y on the s&me rini"es &s th&t of

& book- &n* it must *een* on the kno'"e*/e! fee"in/! &n* not & "itt"e on the in*ustry&n* erse.er&ne of the re&*er! 'hether! e.en in the &se of the best 'orks! he either

erei.e them to be /re&t! or fee" them to be entert&inin/#

Documents

The Nature of Gothic by John Ruskin