Gothic Ornament: Architectural Motifs from York Cathedral

by Joseph Halfpenny

Overview

These royalty-free motifs feature exquisite specimens of the sculptured ornaments from northern Europe's largest medieval cathedral. The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York, popularly known as York Minster, was founded as a missionary church. Its soaring Gothic architecture and vast interior, parts of which date back to the 13th century, feature some of the best examples of the medieval craftsman's work to be found anywhere.
This compilation consists of 175 illustrations, selected from throughout the cathedral. Like the building of the church itself, the ornaments were executed during different eras. This collection, reproduced from a rare 18th-century volume, offers artists and graphic designers an unusual selection of authentic architectural motifs from the Middle Ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486154008
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	12/03/2012
Series:	Dover Pictorial Archive
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	33 MB
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Gothic Ornament

Architectural Motifs from York Cathedral

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By Joseph Halfpenny

Dover Publications, Inc.

Copyright © 2005 Dover Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-486-15400-8

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INTRODUCTION

A Careful perusal of Mr. Bentham's History of the Church of Ely, and Mr. Murphy's Introduction to the Gothic Architecture of the Church and Royal Monastery of Batalha, in Portugal, (now publishing in Numbers) will enable any person to obtain a competent Knowledge of the Principles of Gothic Architecture. The arrangement of Mr. Murphy's work is most excellent, and it would be a noble Undertaking if the same method was followed in giving the Plans, Elevations, Sections, &c. of the Cathedral Church of York. Of Gothic Architecture, Sir William Chambers speaks in terms of the highest respect.

"To those usually called Gothic Architects we are indebted for the first considerable Improvements in construction; there is a lightness in their works, an art and boldness of execution, to which the antients never arrived, and which the moderns comprehend and imitate with difficulty. England contains many magnificent examples of this Species of Architecture, equally admirable for the art with which they are built, the taste and ingenuity with which They are composed. One cannot refrain from wishing that the Gothic Structures were more considered, were better understood, and in higher estimation than they hitherto seem to have been. Would our Dilettanti, instead of importing the Gleanings of Greece, or our Antiquaries, instead of publishing loose incoherent prints, encourage persons duly qualified to undertake a correct elegant publication of our Cathedrals, and other Buildings called Gothic, before they totally fall to ruin, it would be of real service to the Arts of Design; preserve the remembrance of an extraordinary Style of Building, now sinking fast into Oblivion; and at the same time publish to the World, the riches of Britain in the Splendor of her antient Structures."

Treatise on the Decorative Parts of Civil Architecture, p. 22.

With a View to encourage and bring forward an undertaking fo warmly recommended, I have been induced to exhibit this Selection of Gothic Ornaments, flattering myself that they will be found beautiful in the design, and masterly in the Sculpture. And as they are selected from various parts of the Building, it will be necessary to remark, that, like the Church itself, they must have been executed at different times. Mr. Drake, in his Eboracum, puts the following dates to the different parts of the Church.

1227. Archbishop Walter Grey built the South Aile.

1268. John le Romaine built the North Aile.

1291. His Son, John le Romaine, Archbishop, laid the foundation of the Nave from the West End Eastward.

1320. William de Melton, Archbishop, carried on the Building and finished the West End with the Steeples.

1361. John Thoresby, Archbishop, laid the first Stone of the Choir.

1370. Walter Skirlaw, Prebendary of Fenton, by a large Donation, caused the Old Steeple to be taken down, and erected a new one, which is in the Centre of the Church.

As to the time when the Chapter House was built, nothing can be determined with certainty. Mr. Drake says, that it is as old as the Church itself, but the Style of Architecture shews that it is of a much later Date.

The Patronage that I have already received will stimulate me in the execution of the present Work, and the Public may be assured that the future Numbers will not be inferior to the one now presented.

JOSEPH HALFPENNY. YORK, March 2, 1795.

(Continues...)

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Table of Contents

Contents

Title Page,
Copyright Page,
INTRODUCTION.,
Dedication,
PLATES,