THE STYLE OF LOUIS XIV. 



355 



their "Gothic barbarism," as was done at St Germain 1'Auxerrois in 

 Paris, and late in the reign by Mansart and de Cotte, in the choir of 

 Notre Dame. A treatment of this kind applied to Notre Dame des Doms 

 at Avignon (1710), including a balustraded gallery at triforium level, 

 breaking round the Romanesque piers on rich corbelling, has resulted 

 in a decidedly picturesque effect. 



The style of Louis XIV. vividly expresses, by its uniformity and 

 splendour, the pomp and glamour of a single irresistible authority ; it 

 has the merits and the defects of the political and social system with 

 which it was bound up. By the combination of largely conceived 

 schemes, bold lines and masses, gorgeous colour, choice material and 

 consummate craftsmanship, it achieves great artistic effects. It calls 

 up the pageant of a great people, ruled by a mighty king, of victorious 

 armies and resplendent courtiers. But it moves on a plane of high 

 statecraft and courtly graces, too remote from common human life to 

 awaken widespread sympathy. It is devoid of Jhe intimate fascination, 

 the individuality, the delicate shades of feeling which give charm to 

 other great periods of art. The natural and the na'ive are notes it does 

 not strike, and the self-conscious environment which gave it birth drives 

 it not infrequently into bombast and theatricality. 



342. VERSAILLES : PANEL OVER DOOR IN SALLE DES GARDES DE LA REINE 



(1680). 



