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| GALLERY FROM THE CATHEDRAL OF LIMOGES - This
delicate and beautiful piece of ecclesiastical architecture and
sculpture is to be found in the Cathedral at Limoges, and its cast
was among the exhibits in the Trocadero collection in the Art Palace, at Chicago. The original was
executed in marble by an unknown artist in 1533-34, for Jean de
Langeac, Bishop of Limoges, Ambassador of France to Rome. This
ornament is chiefly remarkable for the grace of its balustrade and
the richness of its pendent arches. In the centre is a wide
door-way, under an elliptical arch. Passing from left to right it is
to be noted that the ornate arches abruptly terminate, leaving a
square and unfilled place. The columns are carved in many ways, and
between them pilasters, niches, and brackets increase the bewildering
but dainty detail. These niches once held statues, and there remain
in bas-relief the figures of angels carrying symbols of the holy
passion. Between the arches under the balustrade are mutilated
statues in bas-relief, speaking of the sacrilege of the revolutionary
times. It is believed that these statues represented Faith, Hope and
Charity on one side, and Justice, Prudence and Temperance on the
other. As though the foliations, carvings, arches, pendents,
brackets, pilasters and balusters were not sufficiently ornate, the
designer has added the conspicuous bracket-like ornament at the
cornice, which even increased the grace and airiness of the work. |
