§55-57. DECORATION OF WALLS. 269 



is of great importance in churches, and other large as well as 

 small edifices. The general effect should be that of broad 

 masses ; which, on near approach, may display the minuteness 

 of detail not seen at a distance ; and no more ornament should 

 be used than is required, or can be managed with due regard 

 to the expression of the whole. (See Part I. Sect. X.) The 

 details should not be too large for the building, or the part 

 they occupy ; they should not be crowded ; and small 

 uncoloured spaces in the midst of coloured patterns, or mould- 

 ings, are agreeable from the relief and variety they afford, 

 both in architecture, and in ordinary designs. 



57. There is no better example of the mode of ornamenting 

 a large expanse of flat wall than in Giotto's Chapel, at Padua, 

 and in the library of Siena Cathedral ; which are remarkable 

 not only for their beautiful frescoes, but for the harmony of 

 their general effect, and for the richness of their ornaments, 

 so well adapted to those buildings, and to their own position. 

 The Sainte Chapelle, at Paris, built about 1241-44, may 

 also be noticed as a good specimen of ornamentation ; though 

 it requires some of that repose obtained from unornamented 

 portions, already advocated. For its painted glass windows, 

 which are of the best style and pei'iod, it is also highly to be 

 commended ; and like others of that age, they are excellent 

 examples for study. (See Part I. pages 35, 37, 38, 39.) 



As a general rule in the ornamentation of a building, 

 minute details should not be permitted to interfere with the 

 effect of the whole, and the extent to which they ought to be 

 worked up must be determined with judgment. Too great 

 minuteness of finish injures the breadth of treatment so neces- 

 sary for whatever is to be looked at from a distance ; so that 

 it is better in some cases to have a slight indication of detail 

 in the minor parts, than ornaments too highly finished through- 

 out, which might create confusion. This applies equally 

 to external and to internal decoration, and has been very 



