338 



RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE IN FRANCE. 



sprawling effect is also 

 produced by the addi- 

 tion of towers beyond 

 the aisle fronts. 



NANCY CATHEDRAL. 

 When designing the 

 cathedral of Nancy, 

 which he did not live to 

 complete (it was begun 

 in 1703 and finished by 

 Boffrand c. 1740), he 

 placed the towers in the 

 same manner, but at- 

 tained far better results 

 by increasing the height 

 both absolutely and rela- 

 tively (Fig. 322). The 

 nave front, crowned by 

 a curved pediment, has 

 three tiers of boldly 

 projecting coupled 

 columns, round which 

 entablatures and pedi- 

 ments break, thus giving 

 strong vertical lines. 

 Its upper storey is con- 

 nected with the towers 

 by wing-walls of concave 

 outline. The towers which, like the aisle-fronts, are treated with pilasters, 

 are square and surmounted by well-designed lanterns consisting of an 

 open octagonal storey and a graceful cupola. The play of light and 

 shade, and the rhythmic flow in the outline of this front render it 

 an unusually attractive example of its class. One can but regret that 

 an ample external dome does not crown the intersection as was 

 Mansart's intention. This would have had the additional result of 

 distracting the attention from the poverty-stricken rear elevations, 

 which were merely intended as a pedestal to it. In this case the 

 transepts terminate in apses as well as the east end, but, as usual in 

 this type of plan, they are included within the rectangle. The pro- 

 portions of the interior are unfortunately obscured by a general coat 

 of light paint, contrasting harshly with the heavy and disagreeable 

 colour of the decoration in the low internal dome. 



OTHER TYPES OF FAC.ADE. Unlike the churches referred to up 

 to the present, that of the Minims in Paris, opposite to the north 



322. CATHEDRAL OF NANCY, BY J. H. MAXSART 

 AND G. BOFFRAND (1703-^. 1740): WEST FROM. 



