THE STYLE OF LOUIS XVI. 



463 



FIRST MADELEINE CHURCH. In Contant d'lvry's design for the 

 Madeleine the church begun in 1764 to close the vista of the Rue 

 Royale the influence of the Pantheon is immediately traceable in at 

 least two points : the substitution of colonnades and flat ceiled aisles 

 for arcades and vaulted aisles, and the planning of the dome supports 

 as a group of three columns built solid in one pier, and aligning with the 

 nave and transept colonnades. The plan (Fig. 441) forms a Latin 

 cross in which the nave has seven, the choir three, and the transepts 

 two bays, each with aisles and chapels. 



The most original feature is the planning of the intersection. The 



441. PARIS: FIRST MADELEINE CHURCH, BY CONTANT D'IVRY (BEGUN 1764). 

 PLAN. FROM PATTE. 



colonnades of each wing stop in a line with the outer wall of the limb 

 at right angles to it, and are connected with the dome piers by arches 

 equal to those under the dome, a span double that of the intercolumnia- 

 tion, the vaults of the four limbs being joined up by quarter domes. 

 Thus the high altar, standing in the central point of the cross, has the 

 dome and its piers as a sort of colossal baldacchino, set in the midst 

 of a great hall the full width of all the limbs of the church, a very noble 

 arrangement. On Contant's death, the church, which had made but 

 little progress, was handed over to Couture, who recast the whole design. 

 Both architects' work was swept away under Napoleon to make room 

 for the present edifice. 



