Essay On The Origin, History, And Principles Of Gothic Architecture - Softcover

James Hall

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0371234948 ISBN 13: 9780371234945

Publisher: HardPress, 2021

Synopsis

Essay On The Origin, History, And Principles, Of Gothic Architecture by James Hall presents a unifying theory of Gothic architecture grounded in imitation of wicker-work and rustic timber structures. Hall argues that the distinctive Gothic forms—the pointed arch, the clustered column, the groined roof, and the complex window tracery—emerged from artisans working with flexible materials, whose willow and basket-work informed stone construction. He builds a model by constructing wicker replicas (frontispiece) and demonstrates how stone can imitate these forms while enhancing strength and light. The work surveys historical opinions by Warburton, Gray, Pownal, Murphy and Grose, and contends that Gothic arose under the influence of the Free-masons, not barbarous ages. It also compares Greek and Gothic imitation, explaining how Gothic adapts to modern needs of churches, canopies, steeples, and buttresses, and advocates a revival by returning to its original principles. The publication includes plates and case studies from Durham, Westminster, Kelso, and York, and argues for a rational, nature-inspired approach to architectural design.

Edition details

• Publisher: HardPress
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0371234948
• ISBN 13: 9780371234945
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 293