File:Mediaeval Sicily, aspects of life and art in the middle ages (1910) (14592201298).jpg

Identifier: cu31924081258430 (find matches)
Title: Mediaeval Sicily, aspects of life and art in the middle ages
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Waern, Cecilia, 1853-
Subjects: Art Art, Medieval
Publisher: London, Duckworth & co
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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ntraststruck by the star-spangled blues of the little inter-secting vaults at the corners ; the broad neutralbands in mosaic of black on silver of the Greekinscriptions, alternating with the Arabic onementioned above in the cupola ; the fine spacingthroughout ; the intelligent use of pure ornament. There are several varieties of ornamental borders.Narrow strapped bands studded with crosses orjewels in four varieties of pattern, in tones of dullred and deep green with narrow white rims, areprincipally used for disguising the blunt edges ofthe plaster coating, or for bordering the archivolts,twining in medallion loops round the heads of thesaints. Two pretty variations of the lotus patternoccur on the narrow wave-mouldings framing thewindows. For broader bands there are severalcombinations of supple foliage and elegant foldedbuds, flowers and petals in gay shaded tints relievedby white, from the rich Byzantine store of inheritedmotives. In odd corners, finally, conventionalised156 XVIII
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THE CAPPELLA PALATINA /ncorpora, Palermo p. 157 THE MARTORANA trees are used as a space-filling device, but there isno crowding anywhere, no awkwardness or unrest. * * There is another of these Greek cruciformchurches in Palermo, Sant Antonio, now restoredout of all recognition, and one near Castelvetrano,the Trinita of Delia, differing somewhat from theMartorana in type and treatment. The dome ishere (externally) set on a sturdy square, not on anelegant octagon, and the four arms of the crossroofed with tiles, not flat. There is no inscription.The old patina of the walls (in the interior) whichcame to light when the rough plastering wasstripped off, shows that it was never painted. Aspointed out by Patricolo ( Arch. Stor. Siciliano,vol. v.), it is therefore interesting as showing us asimple little country church of the period,depending for ornament and expression, probably,on a painted and partly gilt iconostasis screen andother painted wooden partitions, with, we mayadd, at least on

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