Capital from the Lower Arcade of the Doge's Palace, Venice

John Ruskin

R. P. Cuff, engraver

1849

6 7/8 x 4 inches

Plate V, The Seven Lamps of Architecture in Works, 8.122:

“Plate V., is of the noblest period of the Venetian Gothic; and it is interesting to see the play of leafage so luxuriant, absolutely subordinated to the breadth of two masses of light and shade. What is done by the Venetian architect, with a power as irresistible as that of the waves of his surrounding sea, is done by the masters of the Cis-Alpine Gothic, more timidly, and with a manner somewhat cramped and cold.”

Ruskin then compares this work to a detail from the Cathedral of St. Lô, which he illustrated in Plate II..

Scanned image and text by George P. Landow

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