We cannot too strongly insist
upon the fact that whatever appears in illumination has appeared first
in architecture and its auxilliary arts. Now we have to see how this
fact begins to change almost entirely the character of the ornamentation
of books. During the latter part of the twelfth century, when precisely
we cannot say, nor where, a new form of architecture began to show
itself. This new style, laying aside both the classic cornice and the
Romanesque arch, makes use of a new vertical principle of construction,
called in French the _ogive_ or arch, composed of two sections only,
instead of the whole semicircle. By some fatality, of which no exact
explanation can be given, English writers have given this new style the
name of Gothic. Scores of cathedrals throughout Europe are called Gothic
cathedrals, whereas in all probability, if we exclude Sweden, there is
only one really Gothic building in the world, that is the Tomb of
Theodoric at Ravenna, and none of the so-called Gothic cathedrals are in
the least like it. As to the invention itself, it has been claimed by
almost every nationality in Europe. There can be no doubt that
accidentally, or otherwise, the pointed arch had been used often enough
without any idea of its adoption as a principle of construction even in
ancient buildings.
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