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Article OUR ARCHITECTURAL SUMMARY. Page 1 of 3 →
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Our Architectural Summary.
OUE AHCB [ ITECTIJRAL SUMMARY .
One of the events , which is looked for with the greatest interest , and which has been matter of some surprise , is the opening of the new Coyent Garden Theatre or Opera , on the 15 th , from the designs of the younger Barry , by a most rapid process of execution , only surpassed by the wonderful transformation of the old theatre by Bro . Benedict Albano , into
one of the most magnificent opera houses in Europe , within a few weeks . It was this fine composition of Bro . Albano ' s which perished by fire , and which Mr . Barry now strives to rival . Many yet think that it is a loss to the public that Bro , Albano was : not entrusted with the new structure . We shall see what effect will be produced by this work , which will rank with the largest musical theatres in the \ vorld , and therefore so far add another remarkable building to the metropolis .
A small work of Mr . George Gilbert Scott ' s has for the last few days stayed the steps of the wayfarers in the city . This is the opening of the new doorway to St . Michaers , Cornhill , in the early English style . It may be remembered that the parish authorities at some expense succeeded in clearing the front qf the tower so as to obtain a good frontage to Cornhill , and by widening the mouth of St . Michael ' s Alley to bring out Wren ' s tower more boldly . This , it will be remembered , is , with St .
Dunstan ' s in the East , St . Mary Aldernianbury , and the Westminster Abbey towers , among the few Gothic productions of our Grand Master Wren . At the time the demolition of the houses took place , the construction of a new doorway was entrusted to Mr . Scott , the great mediseval and pre-Raffaelite architect . He , in conformity with his own artistic faith , and
from no hostility to Wren , or studied design of making more profit to himself , took the opportunity of adding an early English doorway to a tower of much later style . As the tower is said not to be without defects , it has been said he has done this with the purpose of causing the reconstruction of the tower in a style which is an article of religion to him and his fellow sectaries .
The doorway is a composition so small that it would be quickly dismissed by too many artists without especial care , and by some commonplace reproductions of an accepted example . Such has not been the case with Mr . Scott , who has conscientiously bestowed on this trifling work careful study . It is so well composed , and the details so carefully wrought , that , like many an older work of the style , it rivets the glance
of the spectator , and has ever before it a group of bystanders , admiring , it may be , as much the novelty of such a sight in London , as the beauty of the work , Some years ago , masons could not have been found in England to carve the decorations ; but such has been the improvement of late among the working Brethren of the Craft , that this work has been turned out with artistic finish . The relief over the
doorway , representing a combat of St . Michael , is , however , the composition of a trained sculptor . In the side columns coloured marble is , as of old , introduced with good effect . That this doorway will lead to the downfall of the tower itself we fear much . The temptation will be strong to have a tower and spire from such a hand , and a notable work of our great Master will perish . This we should regret , but if Mr . Scott should be seconded , hd will assuredly raise a spire which will mark this part of the city , and will be seen tapering
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Our Architectural Summary.
OUE AHCB [ ITECTIJRAL SUMMARY .
One of the events , which is looked for with the greatest interest , and which has been matter of some surprise , is the opening of the new Coyent Garden Theatre or Opera , on the 15 th , from the designs of the younger Barry , by a most rapid process of execution , only surpassed by the wonderful transformation of the old theatre by Bro . Benedict Albano , into
one of the most magnificent opera houses in Europe , within a few weeks . It was this fine composition of Bro . Albano ' s which perished by fire , and which Mr . Barry now strives to rival . Many yet think that it is a loss to the public that Bro , Albano was : not entrusted with the new structure . We shall see what effect will be produced by this work , which will rank with the largest musical theatres in the \ vorld , and therefore so far add another remarkable building to the metropolis .
A small work of Mr . George Gilbert Scott ' s has for the last few days stayed the steps of the wayfarers in the city . This is the opening of the new doorway to St . Michaers , Cornhill , in the early English style . It may be remembered that the parish authorities at some expense succeeded in clearing the front qf the tower so as to obtain a good frontage to Cornhill , and by widening the mouth of St . Michael ' s Alley to bring out Wren ' s tower more boldly . This , it will be remembered , is , with St .
Dunstan ' s in the East , St . Mary Aldernianbury , and the Westminster Abbey towers , among the few Gothic productions of our Grand Master Wren . At the time the demolition of the houses took place , the construction of a new doorway was entrusted to Mr . Scott , the great mediseval and pre-Raffaelite architect . He , in conformity with his own artistic faith , and
from no hostility to Wren , or studied design of making more profit to himself , took the opportunity of adding an early English doorway to a tower of much later style . As the tower is said not to be without defects , it has been said he has done this with the purpose of causing the reconstruction of the tower in a style which is an article of religion to him and his fellow sectaries .
The doorway is a composition so small that it would be quickly dismissed by too many artists without especial care , and by some commonplace reproductions of an accepted example . Such has not been the case with Mr . Scott , who has conscientiously bestowed on this trifling work careful study . It is so well composed , and the details so carefully wrought , that , like many an older work of the style , it rivets the glance
of the spectator , and has ever before it a group of bystanders , admiring , it may be , as much the novelty of such a sight in London , as the beauty of the work , Some years ago , masons could not have been found in England to carve the decorations ; but such has been the improvement of late among the working Brethren of the Craft , that this work has been turned out with artistic finish . The relief over the
doorway , representing a combat of St . Michael , is , however , the composition of a trained sculptor . In the side columns coloured marble is , as of old , introduced with good effect . That this doorway will lead to the downfall of the tower itself we fear much . The temptation will be strong to have a tower and spire from such a hand , and a notable work of our great Master will perish . This we should regret , but if Mr . Scott should be seconded , hd will assuredly raise a spire which will mark this part of the city , and will be seen tapering