PLATE 5 B

THE DUCAL PALACE

Sections of the Southern Balcony

FIG. 1 is that of the uppermost horizontal moulding; Fig. 2 of the central moulding; and Fig. 3 of the basic plinth: a b, Fig. 1, is the exact breadth of the top of the parapet, a c being its outside and b d its inside profile; a b equals c d; and there is a joint at c d. The section is continued through the cusp of the quatrefoil; changing its direction at p, which is the point p in Fig. 3 of Plate 5; r r are the ridges of the tracery, and e f is the exact breadth of the cusp, as at e in Fig. 3, Plate 5.

Fig. 2, the central moulding, is the same outside and inside. The points c c will of course fall beneath c of Fig. 1. In Fig. 3, i c is in like manner the outside and k d the inside profile, and the section c g h d is continued through the point g in Fig. 3 of Plate 5.

Fig. 4 is the horizontal section through the pilaster on the outside, which is a separate piece of marble (the joint] being at a b), across to the central rose of the quatrefoil, e f: c d is the smaller rose in the cusping spaces; and m m, an inlaid piece of black marble, which forms the small arch on each side of the pilaster. Fig. 5 is the elevation of the head of one of the compartments, x y and m m corresponding to the same letters in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 shows the incisions on the smaller roses, which form their rude triangular ornament.

There is little to praise, and much to blame, in the manner of this design; but it is one of singular importance in the architectural system of Venice, and therefore could not be overlooked. I wish I could have given the brackets which support the balcony; but they were inaccessible.¹

¹ [The plate is here reduced from 18¼ x 11¼ to 7¹/8 x 4³/8.]

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[Version 0.04: March 2008]