The herald., 1896-01-30
THE ART ASSOCIATION
First Lecture OF the Course of '96
Last Evening
hrs. George A. caswe!l Delivers an Interesting
Lecture on Gothic Architecture-i1usic
by 1rs. Jones I'd Others

The first number of the course of six
lectures for 1896, under the auspices of
the Art association of Southern California,
was given last evening by Mrs. George A.
Caswell on characteristics ofeGothic Arch-
lecture at the school OF art and design on
West Second street. Mrs. Caswel, who
has made herself familiar with the differ
ent orders and styles of architecture, by
special study in this country and abroad,
treated her subject very entertainingly and
with skill and finish.
The address was given chiefly for work
ers in art and contained many more tech
nicalities than the lectures given by Mrs.
Caswell last year, but a pleasing interest
was sustained throughout.
Briefly stated, the contents were as fol-
lows: The term "pointed style" is prefer
able to Gothic, since it is based wholly on
the pointed arch. The term Gothic was
first used in derision by the Romans, i'm
plying that no good thing could come
from Gothic or northern races. i is an or
namental style and was gradually de-
veloped from the rounded arch through the
desire Tor greater height and to display
stained glass, producing effects of color,
which took the place of frescoes.
The Gothic style arose in the twelfth
century, was perfected in the thirteenth
and fourteenth, and was displaced by the
Renaissance in the sixteenth. 1t tlourished
chiefly on the Rhine, in the north of France
and i'll England.
Illustrations were shown by Mrs. Cas-
we'll TO explain the technical terms neces-
sary TO an understanding of the style even
in outline, such as transept, clerestory. re-
cedos. buttress, flying buttress, garbage,
etc.
The difference between constructive Or
nament and decorative ornament was
brought out and local variations shown, as
th. Roman influence in England, the Sara
cenic in spain, the simplicity of the Ger
man style and the elegance of decorated
sculpture of France which is not seen any
where else.
Anyone, said the speaker, who wishes to
determine the style of Greek or Roman
building, looks at the capitals of lis
columns, and to know the period or classi-
fication of Gothic structure it is neces-
sary to observe the window traceries. In
cathedrals there is usually great confusion
in classifying the architecture, because
they were often hundreds of years in
building, and popular ideas of sculpture
changed with individual tastes of archi-
tects and kings.
The speaker explained that the "EarIv
Gothic' was simple and severe, with circle
or fillet traceries, and with long, ,rrow
arches; that "Middle Gothic" had the tre-
foil or quarterfoi, traceres, with fish bad-
ders or flames blown by the wind, which
was known as Flamboyant. The "Late
Gothic" was described as consisting of
perpendicular traceries, with fan roof, fly
ing buttresses and square finish to apex
and lransept, giving an effect of soaring.
The Gargoyle element of the Gothic s yle
was explained as representing grotesque or
sportive figures as seenin the Gargoyles of
Notre Dame.
The speaker closed the entertaining pa
per with a pleasing description of English
cathedrals, of the advantage they have
over the continental from the beauty of
their surroundings and because of the beau
tiful -elvety "close" that forms their in
closure.
A very delightful musical program began
and ended the evenings entertainment.
Duets we're sung by Mrs. E. H. Loomis and
Mrs. A. j. Brown, with piano accompani-
ments by Miss Grace FL, Crawford.
Mrs. ]. NJ. Jones rendered several airs
on the harp from the Huguenots and the
Beggar's opera very effectively.
Little Miss Edith Bond played II dreamt
dwelt in Marble Halls'' and Obertthur's
"Musical Poem" also on the harp with
very fine execution for one so young. The
runs were very beautiful and evenly made.
and won much applause from the audi
pDpp.